BR 













1111 



KITTLE SAlNTJg 



Jw/Jla 



JSllNE YEARS 1 



HPPflBBi 

^bHIBbh 

w 11 

Brass Wfty^f WyTf*TF? 




HSSBi 

HIM lei flllllH'llllnlll'll™ 



■m a a s MB BBr iiiYiillT BHHSw B • 




mu 



LIBRARY ESS* 

St 



UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 



A LITTLE SAINT 



NINE YEARS 



A BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICE. 



i p . 

Translated from the French of Mgr. de Segur ; 4~4*^U-o 
by '-oXtfvO 



MISS MARY McMAHON. 



■MAY 26 1881 

No.J..?.20.:/>\ 





NEW YORK, CINCINNATI, AND ST. LOUIS: 

BENZIGER BROTHERS, 

Printers to the Holy Apostolic See. 

?\%$ -j 



« 




imprimatur, 

John, Cardinal McCloskey, 
r^HSHrfl^S^' Archbishop of New York 



Copyright, 1881, by Benziger Brothers. 



PREFACE. 



The little biographical notice which 
is here published and dedicated to the 
children, and consequently to Christian 
mothers, is taken from the " Messenger 
of the Sacred Heart," that excellent 
monthly bulletin of the great work of 
the " Apostolate of Prayer." Revised 
with great care at first by the Superior 
of the Monastery of the Visitation at 
Pignerol, it was translated from the 
Italian, and published some time ago in 
the ' * Messenger. ' ' It seemed to me so 
touchingly beautiful and so calculated 
to edify children, I felt I ought to ask 
permission to reproduce it in part, mak- 
ing therein some slight modifications. 

The heroine of this modest story was 
a little negress, who died in the odor 
of sanctity in 1855 at the Monastery of 
the Visitation in Piemont. She was 



ii PREFACE. 

not quite nine years of age, and was 
called Amna, but took the name of Jo- 
sephine when she was baptized at the 
Convent of the Visitation. Rescued 
from captivity, and consequently from 
infidelity and dishonor, by a holy mis- 
sionary, Fr. Olivieri, the poor little one, 
scarcely seven years of age, and already 
almost wasted away by the most barbar- 
ous treatment, was brought to Italy by 
the good priest who rescued her, and 
with another little negress was confided 
to the charity of the Sisters of the Vis- 
itation at Pignerol. 

There she lived for nearly two years, 
was baptized, became marvellously 
sanctified, and died, I am told, in the 
veritable odor of sanctity. The story 
begins by the account of her first years 
which she gave herself to the Infirmarian 
who had charge of her. The oriental 
coloring and the naivete of her language 
give to it all an indefinable charm. 



CONTENTS. 

m 

CHAPTER. PAGE 

I. Early Infancy, Captivity, and Rescue 

of the Little African, ... 5 
II. Amna is Brought to the Visitation. 

Her Character and Early Sufferings, 15 

III. The Baptism of the two Little Africans, 30 

IV. Confirmation, 40 

V. First Communion, . . . .46 

VI. Josephine's Admirable Love for Holy 

Communion, 52 

VII. The Lively Faith, Fervor, and Patience 

of the Dear Child, . . . .57 
VIII. Her Confidence in St. Joseph, . . 67 
IX. Her Consecration to the Blessed Vir- 
gin, 70 

X. Increasing Sanctity of the Little Mar- 
tyr, 72 

XI. Her Heroic Resignation in the Midst 

of Terrible Suffering, . . .86 
XII. The Last Days of the Dear Little 

African, 92 

XIII. The Little Sufferer Receives on her 

Death-bed the Veil of the Visitation, 
and is Affianced to Jesus Christ, . 99 

XIV. Her Last Smile, 109 



A Little Saint of Nine Years. 



CHAPTER I. 

THE EARLY INFANCY, CAPTIVITY, AND 
RESCUE OF THE LITTLE AFRICAN. 

One day the Infirmarian, seeing the 
dear little invalid very pensive, said, in 
order to divert her, 

" Tell me, dear child, what happened 
to you before you came here." 

The little African sighed deeply, and 
said, 4< I could tell a great many things, 
but they make me so very, very sad 4 
that I cannot bear to think of them. 
When they come to my mind I think 
quickly of Jesus, and then I am so 



6 A LITTLE SAINT 

happy ; but at night, when I wake with 
those thoughts, I cry." Josephine was 
then silent ; Sister urged a little. The 
child, after a short reflection, said, " I 
will tell you something if you promise 
not to tell anybody/' Assured of se- 
crecy, Josephine gave the following ac- 
count : 

" My mamma was beautiful, but 
black ; she had a great many women 
to wait upon her. My papa was well 
dressed, not like the Turks, but like the 
Arabs on grand festivals. As I was 
their only child, I was allowed to play 
in a courtyard ; the women always 
closed the gate for fear a Gelaba (thief, 
kidnapper) would come in. 

" One day, while I was there playing 
with little stones, I heard steps behind 
me : I saw a Gelaba. He had on his 
back a bag all stained with blood, and 
a large knife in his hand. I started to 
run, and screamed, but the man took 



OF NINE YEARS. 7 

me by the hand and said, ' If you 
scream I will cut off your head and put 
it in my bag/ Then rather than go 
into the bag I stopped screaming ; but 
my heart beat so, fast I could hardly 
breathe ; then he took me in his arms 
and ran. 

" When we were far from the house 
he put me down, took hold of my hand, 
and made me run so fast I could not 
keep up with him. I could not take 
long steps because my legs were very 
short, and my feet were all full of thorns 
that made them bleed a great deal. 

" Then the ugly Gelaba, seeing that 
I really could not walk, carried me in 
his arms to his house. His wife, see- 
ing how little I was, took me on her 
knee, and with a large thorn she drew 
out all the other thorns ; then she gave 
me a little bread. I ate it, but I 
thought all the time of my papa and 
my mamma. 



8 A LITTLE SAINT 

" When I had been some days in this 
man's house, he bound me with other 
little girls whom he had stolen, and 
placed us all on a camel. We travelled 
a long time in that way, without stop- 
ping day or night. Once when the cord 
that bound us broke, we all fell to the 
ground, and the man who led the camel 
kicked us and beat us till we got up 
again on the camel. 

" We cried, for the Gelaba was so 
wicked that he never gave us anything 
to eat ; but there was another man 
with him who gave us bread sometimes. 
What made me suffer most was the hot 
sun on my head, for at home they 
always put on my head something to 
protect me from the sun. 

" Afterward the Gelaba sold me to 
another man, more wicked than himself. 
This man gave me kicks all the time, 
and never anything to eat. He made 
me watch the sheep ; while they were 



OF NINE YEARS. 9 

feeding I heard cries of great beasts. 
(They were, no doubt, lions, hyenas, 
and other wild animals that abound in 
those countries.) 

" I trembled, I was so frightened, 
and I thought, Soon those beasts will 
come and eat me. I was very weak 
from hunger, and I was so much afraid 
of meeting those beasts, which I saw far 
off ; one had a long tail, and another 
had arms and hands like a man. And 
then my legs were so small I could not 
run after the sheep, so they went and 
ate the grass that belonged to another 
man. 

" My master seeing that I did not re- 
turn to the house with the sheep, came 
to look for me, and gave me many 
blows with a stick because I did not 
take better care of them. Then, as he 
thought I was no good to take care of 
sheep, he sold me to a Turk." 

Josephine paused, sighed deeply, 



io A LITTLE SAINT 

and said, " Oh, if those beasts there 
had eaten me, I would have gone to 
hell ! . . . And now, it is true, I am al- 
ways ill, but I am well taken care of ; I 
have everything I want, and when I die 
I will go to heaven." 

Then she continued her story. 

" This Turk took me to his house. 
Here everything was very handsome 
and well arranged ; the walls were 
covered with beautiful stuff, and the 
bed was of gold. He had here already 
a little negress, older than I was ; we 
were always together. We slept on 
the floor in a corner of a room. Every 
day a table was prepared in the same 
room for the Turk to dine with his 
sisters ; and so many things were 
brought for them to eat ! 

" While they ate they had us brought 
before them. Another Turk came in ; 
he had in his hand cords, with sharp 
pieces of iron on the ends of them. 



OF NINE YEARS. M 

Then they made us sing, Din-din-cabira 
alfa, sel Sultan cabira alfa, etc., accom- 
panied by striking the hand on some- 
thing like a tambourine. Whenever 
we made the least mistake, this Turk 
beat us so hard that we fell to the 
ground like one dead. Then he kicked 
us back into our corner, and those at 
table laughed as hard as they could. 
So every day when we saw the table 
prepared we began to cry. 

" When they were done eating they 
threw us in our corner a small piece of 
very hard bread for our dinner. But a 
sister of this Turk loved me, and she 
gave me good things in secret ; she felt 
sorry for me because I was so little. 

" When I had been here for some 
time, this Turk, who slept in the bed 
of gold while I slept on the ground in 
the stable, said to me, ' I am going to 
sell you, for I do not know what to do 
with you, you are so small/ 



12 A LITTLE SAINT 

"Abuya (Fr. Olivieri) * came soon 
after this, and he bought me. My 
companion, when she saw me going, 
began to cry. I do not know whether 
the Turk would not sell her, or whether 
Abuya had not money enough to buy 
her. As soon as Abuya bought me he 
took me in his arms, caressed me so 
tenderly, and brought me to the ship 
where Nina f was, with the other little 
negresses. I was so happy to be with 
Abuya that I cried when I could not 

* M. Nicholas Olivieri, priest of the diocese of 
Genoa, devoted himself entirely to the regenera- 
tion of the negroes. He passed much of his life 
in travelling.. In Africa he bought the negro 
children exposed for sale in the market, brought 
them to Italy, and employed his means in having 
them brought up Christians, in private houses or 
in religious communities. This venerable priest, 
known by the name of the " Father of the Ne- 
groes,' 1 slept in the peace of our Lord at Mar- 
seilles ; his remains were taken to Genoa. 

f This was the servant of Fr. Olivieri, who ac- 
companied him in all his voyages, to aid him in 
his holy enterprise of rescuing little negresses. 



OF NINE YEARS, 13 

see him, and when I was with him my 
heart was so contented. I was so afraid 
of the sea that my fear, and all the 
blows I had received, and being so long 
without eating, made me fall ill. My 
cheek and eye were swollen so large 
that Abuya cried, he was so afraid I 
would die. 

1 When we left the ship he took me 
in his arms and carried me to a house 
of religious, who were dressed in black 
and white, and told them to take care 
of me and cure me, and in a few days 
he would come and take me away. The 
nuns put me in bed, bathed my face 
and eye, and in two days I was cured. 
14 Abuya then came for me. He em- 
braced me, and brought me to the ship 
with Nina, where I found the other lit- 
tle negresses, and where I met Marie, 
who is here with me. As soon as we 
saw each other we embraced as if we 
were sisters. 



14 A LITTLE SAINT. 

"When we were at Turin, Abuya 
asked Nina which of us seemed most 
fond of each other, and Nina said, 
' Take Amna and Lemona. ' So Abuya 
asked for us two without seeing the 
others, and said to us, ' Now I am 
going to take you to the Sisters, who 
love little negresses very much ; they 
pet them and give them all sorts of 
good things. They will teach you to 
know and love Jesus, and therefore you 
will be very happy ; but you must re- 
member to be very good, and to love 
each other, for God wishes you to live 
together all your lives. 

"Then he embraced us both, and 
gave us his blessing. We embraced 
Nina also, and we were placed in a car- 
riage and brought here. " 

Such is Josephine's story, in all its 
heart-rending and touching simplicity. 



CHAPTER II. 

AMNA IS BROUGHT TO THE VISITA- 
TION — HER CHARACTER AND EARLY 
SUFFERINGS. 

On the evening of the nth of Sep- 
tember, the Feast of the Holy Name of 
Mary, in 1853, said the Mother Supe- 
rior, we were all talking together after 
supper, when the door-bell rang vio- 
lently. " God be praised ! it is Father 
Olivieri. We had been expecting him 
a long time. Here he is at last, with 
two little Africans. This time we are 
not mistaken. ' ' This thought occurred 
spontaneously to us all. 

I ran to the door, and hastened to 
open it, feeling the Mother's heart 
within me beat. Our desires were in 
fact realized. I received the two little 



1 6 A LITTLE SAINT 

ones with great joy, and brought them 
to recreation. Imagine the caresses, 
the kisses, the transports of holy joy 
on the part of our dear Sisters. They 
were all eager to serve and comfort 
those who from that moment became 
our adopted children. The poor little 
creatures had great need of care. It 
was pitiful to see them : they were 
bruised from head to foot, and be- 
numbed with cold, for the wind blew 
violently, and a heavy rain was falling. 

Amna, the one of whom I wish to 
write, was about seven years old. 

She had a proud, capricious nature, 
but was very intelligent and talked 
well, and in such an insinuating way 
that she had most marvellous tact in 
bending others to her will. To con- 
quer this little self-will was always her 
most painful sacrifice ; however, aided 
by grace she gained great victories. 

The aspirations of her soul were gen- 



OF NINE YEARS. 17 

erous ; her bearing noble and grave ; 
her love of order and neatness admira- 
ble. We could not but think she was 
of a princely race. 

Although at first Amna could not 
speak Italian, she never failed to make 
herself understood, either by signs or 
by showing different objects. She also 
interpreted for her companion Lemona, 
over whom, notwithstanding the differ- 
ence of their ages, she always exer- 
cised a great ascendency. 

The poor child never enjoyed good 
health. She was always ailing, and 
could scarcely ever apply herself to 
study, for which she had great apti- 
tude. Nevertheless, she studied the 
catechism carefully and lovingly. Obe- 
dient to a secret impulse of the Holy 
Ghost, her heart never failed to under- 
stand the instructions on the mysteries 
and the great maxims of Faith. " Ex- 
plain, explain again," she would say to 



1 8 A LITTLE SAINT 

her teacher; " I want to learn very 
quickly, so as to be baptized. If I do 
not know my catechism the bishop will 
not give me baptism/' 

At other times she would say, sigh- 
ing, " How happy you all are, Sisters ; 
you have Jesus in your souls ; alas ! I 
have Him not. You are children of 
God ; alas ! I am not. ' ' She said 
this with such deep feeling that it 
brought tears to her eyes, as well as to 
the eyes of those who heard her. 

Our little African was subject to nu- 
merous maladies. Sometimes violent 
fits of coughing threatened to choke 
her. One evening in particular she was 
seized with an attack which almost 
proved fatal : frightful convulsions so 
distorted her body that it w^s contract- 
ed into a shapeless mass. Seeing her 
,in this pitiable condition, I thought of 
giving her private baptism. Imagine 
the agony of my heart under such sad 



OF NINE YEARS. 19 

circumstances. I was alone : I had 
just sent my companion to the portress, 
that she might call the chaplain and 
the doctor ; but as it was night they 
could not come immediately. In the 
mean time I held the dear child in my 
arms to facilitate her breathing, but see- 
ing her sinking before my eyes, I felt I 
ought to baptize her. Unfortunately, 
there was not a drop of water within 
my reach. I could not leave her to die 
alone while I went for some. The 
thought of finding her dead when I re- 
turned terrified me. Yet I could not 
let her die without baptism. Oh, how 
my heart was rent ! 

In the midst of this cruel agony I 
turned to a picture of the Blessed Vir- 
gin, which hung at the head of the bed, 
and in accents of bitter sorrow, and 
with that ardent faith which we feel in 
moments of danger, I cried, " Holy 
Virgin, remember thou art the Mother 



20 A LITTLE SAINT 

of this poor little sufferer ; thou wilt 
intercede for her. I recommend her to 
thee, I confide her to thy maternal 
care. 

I had scarcely finished my prayer 
when the poor little invalid straight- 
ened herself out gently on the bed, and 
crossing her little hands like one about 
to take a rest, fell into a peaceful sleep. 
All danger being over, the services of 
the priest and doctor were no longer 
necessary. Great was my joy on being 
relieved from such intense anxiety, and 
I knelt and returned thanks to God 
and my powerful Intercessor. 

The child improved a little, but she 
was often confined to her bed with 
other very serious illnesses. She suf- 
fered with great patience and courage, 
and never complained. " Dear little 
one/' I used to say to her, " how will 
you be able to stand on the day of your 
baptism ?" 



OF NINE YEARS. 21 

" Do not be troubled, mamma (she 
always called me mamma) ; be assured 
Jesus will assist me on that day. He 
will give me strength/ ' 

We will see that her confidence was 
rewarded. 

Amna was, as I have already said, 
an ardent, energetic, and somewhat ca- 
pricious nature, as the following traits 
will prove. The first morning she was 
with us I wanted her to put on an 
apron ; this not meeting her ideas of 
grandeur, she pushed it from her with 
a little disdainful air, saying, " Mafis y 
mafts" that is, " No, no." When I 
told her I would be obliged to punish 
her, then only would the haughty little 
African submit to wear it. The same 
thing happened when she was asked to 
wear a dress that did not suit her. To 
escape from the Sister who was dress- 
ing her, Amna took refuge under my 
table, where she continued her work 



2 2 A LITTLE SAINT 

with her usual grave air, her whole 
manner seeming to say, " No one will 
dare take me from here/' However, 
with a little firmness and much coax- 
ing I succeeded in making her yield. 
It was very important that she should 
be early accustomed to obey, and to 
conquer a will which threatened to be- 
come obstinate. One evening the child 
positively refused to go to bed, placing 
herself in a corner of her room, from 
which she refused to move ; she had 
finally to be carried to bed. 

At night her fear of the Gelabas re- 
turned, those monsters in human form 
who carried off little negresses. Noth- 
ing in the world would induce her to 
remain a moment in the dark. 

One night she was suddenly awakened 
by the shriek of a night-hawk : she was 
so terrified that she ran through the 
halls in her little night-dress, not know- 
ing where she was going. One of the 



OF NINE YEARS. 23 

Sisters meeting her took her in her arms 
back to bed. The poor child's heart 
beat so violently Sister was obliged to 
remain a long time beside her bed to 
quiet her. She kept repeating Cra-cra- 
cra ; from which we concluded that it 
was the noise of the night-hawk that had 
frightened her. 

We were obliged to take some of the 
pictures from her room, because Amna 
imagined she saw in them people who 
would carry her off at night. These 
unfortunate African children suffered 
such horrible treatment ; were sold and 
resold in such a barbarous manner that 
their whole lives were naturally affect- 
ed by the terrible sufferings of their 
childhood. 

When we wished to take them to the 
parlor to see visitors they imagined 
they were taken there to be sold, and 
they tried with all their strength to es- 
cape. 



24 A LITTLE SAINT 

The first time the bishop came to see 
them, Amna, having looked at him for 
a few minutes, said, " That is enough, 
that is enough," and commenced very 
gently to close the grating, but I pre- 
vented her. Then seeing hanging on 
the wall a beautiful Madonna with the 
hands joined in an attitude of prayer, 
she devoutly took the same posture so 
perfectly that she looked like a real 
little angel. 

It would be impossible to describe 
the transports, the tears, or the tender 
caresses with which the pious child re- 
ceived the crucifix the first time it was 
placed in her hands. She seemed be- 
side herself. The little she had learned 
of the sufferings of Jesus for us filled her 
heart with feelings of the liveliest love 
and gratitude. 

Traits like these marked a soul ad- 
mirably disposed to receive and respond 
to the impressions of grace. 



OF NINE YEARS. 25 

To the qualities of her heart little 
Amna joined great clearness of mind, 
which made it very easy to instruct 
her. She learned very quickly to speak 
Italian, and to read and write still more 
readily. Notwithstanding the weari- 
ness and distaste caused by her ill 
health, she made great efforts to study 
and learn. The desire to be baptized 
strongly influenced her. Whenever she 
saw the bishop she always begged him 
to baptize her. The naive child would 
take off her cap, and presenting her lit- 
tle head to the bishop, she would say, 
* Wilt thou not baptize me, dear bish- 
op? Make my soul beautiful ;" then 
seizing the bishop's hand and placing 
it on her head, she would exclaim, 
" Dear bishop, pour the water on my 
head ; my soul is black, it is not clean ; 
hasten to open heaven to me ; make me 
a child of God." 

She always retained the Oriental 



26 A LITTLE SAINT 

custom of using thou in speaking to 
everybody. 

Amna's love of order and modesty 
was very great. Always neatly and 
suitably dressed, she could not endure 
the least stain or want of neatness, 
either about her person or her dress. 
She loved to be caressed, but you had 
to caress her so daintily that you could 
scarcely touch her. Otherwise she 
would say, "Gently; take care, thou 
wilt disarrange my collar, or my cap. I 
dislike very much to have my dress dis- 
arranged/ ' When she was in bed the 
slightest spot on anything about her 
distressed her. She always wanted the 
clothes drawn smoothly across the bed 
that there might be no wrinkle in them, 
14 Take care, do not disarrange my bed 
or soil my counterpane ; I do not like 
soiled linen/ ' were the first words she 
addressed to any one who came near 
her bed. 



OF NINE YEARS. 27 

One day, when some one was wait- 
ing in the parlor to see her, in the hurry 
of getting her ready, over her every- 
day clothes a dress was put on that 
was too short and did not cover the 
skirts underneath it. This was suffi- 
cient to make the child refuse to go 
to the parlor. Nevertheless, as soon 
as I sent for her she came very prompt- 

On receiving her first visit from our 
physician, instead of answering his 
questions, Amna watched me attentive- 
ly, trying to read in my face if she 
could trust this stranger. Finally the 
discreet child made me a sign to come 
near, and whispered in my ear, " Mam- 
ma, does this man pray ?" " Yes, my 
child, he is baptized, and prays like a 
good Christian. ' ' Immediately the little 
one turned to the doctor, talked very 
amiably with him, explained to him her 
sufferings, became very friendly, and 



28 A LITTLE SAINT 

always afterward was very glad to see 
him. 

When Amna was asked to do any- 
thing she disliked, " No, darling, no 
darling," she would say very quietly ; 
and she refused so graciously that it 
made us love her all the more. From 
the time the dear child was civilized 
enough to follow in part the exercises 
of the community, she joined us in the 
refectory, and in all our reunions, 
without in the least interrupting the 
quiet of the religious life. If one of 
the Sisters happened to make an act of 
mortification in her presence, at first, 
imagining that it was a punishment I 
had inflicted on the Sister, the sensitive 
child would feel so sorry for her that she 
would melt into tears. When she was 
told that Sister did this penance of her 
own free will, she immediately wiped 
her eyes, and throwing herself into 
Sister's arms covered her with kisses. 



OF NINE YEARS. 29 

There certainly was something very 
extraordinary in this child. Fr. Oli- 
vieri, in confiding her to my care, said, 
She is one of the predestined ; I most 
earnestly recommend her to you. In 
all the monasteries at which I stopped 
with her they were most anxious to 
keep her, but my invariable answer was, 
' This child is for the Monastery of the 
Visitation at Pignerol. " 



CHAPTER III. 

THE BAPTISM OF THE TWO LITTLE 
AFRICANS. 

OUR dear little Africans' desire for 
baptism increased every day. The 
bishop, finding them sufficiently well 
instructed, decided to administer the 
Holy Sacrament on the first Sunday 
after Easter in 1854. His Grace com- 
mended me to make them understand 
the meaning of the different rites used 
in this august ceremony. Thanks to 
their intelligence, the children on this 
point gave perfect satisfaction. It is 
impossible for me to describe their joy 
and delight as the time approached. 
They counted the days, then the hours, 
and would exclaim constantly, " Oh, 
what joy ! Ah, how happy I am ! In 



A LITTLE SAINT. 31 

a little while I will be baptized. In a 
short time I will be a child of God." 
The idea of so great a favor so ab- 
sorbed them that they dreamed of it at 
night and talked of it all day. They 
could think of nothing else. 

The incredible ardor of these two 
children to be well prepared for bap- 
tism was certainly a subject of great 
edification to us all. They occupied 
themselves continually in acts of virtue, 
practices of mortification, and especially 
in prayer. When the exorcisms were 
explained to them, Amna conceived 
such a fear of the demon that her im- 
patience to be regenerated greatly in- 
creased. On his part, the spirit of 
darkness was enraged with this chosen 
soul, and with all who endeavored to 
rescue her from his power. 

One day the Sister who had charge of 
Amna took her in her arms to hurry to 
one of the exercises of the community, 



32 A LITTLE SAINT 

to which the child generally came with 
her. Just as she was about to descend 
a very high stairs, suddenly her foot 
caught, and with her precious burden 
she fell from the top to the bottom. 
The noise of the fall and the child's 
cries brought us to the spot, where we 
found them both lying unconscious. 
We supposed if they were not killed 
they must at least be very seriously in- 
jured. But on being restored to con- 
sciousness we found they had not sus- 
tained the slightest injury. The pro- 
tection of the Blessed Virgin was very 
evident in this instance, and we thanked 
our good Mother with all our hearts. 

I took occasion to make everything 
during this solemn preparation for bap- 
tism serve for the greater glory of God 
and the edification of our neighbors. 
Our desires were fully realized. The 
23d of April, that beautiful day so im- 
patiently looked for, came at last, and 



OF NINE YEARS. 33 

the grace of regeneration, so long and 
ardently desired, was conferred on the 
two little Africans. The ceremony was 
conducted as follows : 

Our chapel was most beautifully 
decorated. Two tables gracefully 
draped stood in the sanctuary near 
the altar — one for the things necessary 
for the administration of the Sacra- 
ment, such as the holy oils ; the other 
held the white raiment, veils, wreaths 
of flowers, and other beautiful things, 
all arranged in perfect order. A nu- 
merous guard preserved order among 
the great crowd which pious curiosity 
had attracted. 

About ten o'clock the venerable 
bishop of the diocese, Monseigneur Ri- 
naldi, entered the church, followed by 
the canons of the cathedral. At the 
same time the two little Africans, in 
their native dress, came through the 
door of the cloister, accompanied by 



34 A LITTLE SAINT 

two estimable ladies, who had most 
eagerly accepted my invitation to be 
their godmothers. 

The catechumens appeared so recol- 
lected, with downcast eyes, joined 
hands, and with such grave demeanor, 
that the sight of them alone brought 
tears of devotion to all eyes. The door 
way of the monastery leading to the 
church was most tastefully festooned 
with garlands, tapestry, and other dec- 
orations. The two children stood at the 
entrance of the church, while the bishop 
at the foot of the altar vested himself 
in violet-colored pontifical robes, and 
a plain mitre. 

All being in readiness, the bishop, 
seated in his chair, intoned in a solemn 
voice the Deus in adjutorium. Then 
the music of the psalms which precede 
the administration of baptism resound- 
ed through the church. 

At the conclusion of the psalms the 



OF NINE YEARS. 35 

venerable prelate advanced majestically 
toward the door of the church. There, 
surrounded by all the priests, in the 
presence of a great multitude, all 
hushed in profound silence, the bishop 
addressed to each of the young cate- 
chumens the usual questions. The 
children astonished every one by the 
readiness and fervor with which they 
answered. Lemona received the name 
of Marie, and Amna, Josephine. 

Assured of their faith, and of their 
desire for baptism, Monseigneur took 
first the eldest, then the youngest by 
the hand, and leading them into the 
church walked slowly with them to the 
foot of the altar, where the two chil- 
dren, prostrating themselves on the 
floor, rendered thus to the only true 
God their first public homage of their 
belief and adoration ; the orchestra 
meanwhile playing an exquisite volun- 
tary. 



36 A LITTLE SAINT 

Then the prelate ascended the altar, 
where he received his white vestments, 
a richer mitre, and his crosier. Seat- 
ing himself, he repeated his questions, 
received their answers, and finally 
poured upon the heads of the happy 
children the regenerating waters of bap- 
tism. Then the dress which marked 
their former slavery was removed, and 
replaced by white robes. Their heads 
were covered with beautiful veils, over 
which were placed wreaths of pure 
white roses, as the symbol of innocence. 
Lighted candles were put in their 
hands, emblems of the faith which illu- 
mined their souls. 

The two neophytes now retired to 
the seats prepared for them. 

Monseigneur, after a, very touching 
sermon, which brought tears to many 
eyes, terminated the august ceremony 
by the Te Deum and the Benediction 
of the Blessed Sacrament. As he de- 



OF NINE YEARS. 37 

scended from his pontifical throne his 
Grace graciously approached the neo- 
phytes and placed on the neck of each 
a beautifully carved silver crucifix, as 
a sacred pledge and royal seal of that 
holy alliance which their pure souls had 
just contracted with Jesus Christ, in 
the regenerating waters of baptism. 

Finally, having divested himself of 
his pontifical robes, the good prelate, 
notwithstanding his fatigue, had the 
complacency to bring the two little 
angels back to our house. In confiding 
them to me his Grace addressed to me 
a few very impressive words, dictated 
by the sentiment of faith with which 
these children seemed imbued. He 
then gave us all his blessing, and left 
us filled with happiness. 

After a few moments' rest Mon- 
seigneur sent for the new children of 
God to come to the parlor. I noticed 
that while he talked with them his eyes 



38 A LITTLE SAINT 

were filled with tears. The chaplain, 
who was present, was no less moved. 
This worthy priest spared neither care 
nor trouble to prepare the children for 
the grace of baptism, and to have the 
august ceremony performed with great 
splendor ; and now the ceremony having 
just been conducted to his perfect satis- 
faction, here were the dear children be- 
fore him, regenerated and vested in their 
white robes of innocence. That same 
day the neophytes came to ask my 
blessing, and said, 

" Mamma, art thou satisfied ?" 

4< Yes, dear children; do you wish 
anything ?" 

" Show us the beautiful church and 
altar, and all the lovely things the 
bishop wore at the holy baptism, for 
then we saw nothing. We only thought 
of Jesus and of answering well/ ' 

The dear children spoke truly. Dur- 
ing the entire ceremony, which lasted 



OF NINE YEARS. 39 

two hours and a half, they were so mod- 
est and recollected they were never seen 
to raise their eyes once. It was most 
astonishing, at their age, and with their 
ardent nature, incapable, it would seem, 
of such firmness and restraint. 

But to return to my story. 

At the time of her baptism our dear 
Josephine had scarcely recovered from 
her illness. I was very apprehensive 
that she would not be able to endure 
the fatigue of such a long ceremony. 
But the child always assured me that 
she could. Her trust was not in vain. 
The grace of baptism seemed not only 
to renew her strength, but imbued her 
with an indescribable sanctity which 
glowed through all her being. 



CHAPTER IV. 

CONFIRMATION. 

The germs of Christian piety planted 
in her heart by the hand of God were 
soon very visibly developed. When- 
ever she saw the bishop she would say, 
"Dear bishop, dear father, wilt thou 
not confirm me ?" 

" But, my child, be contented now 
to enjoy the happiness of baptism. It 
has driven the demon from thy heart ; 
art thou not satisfied ?" 

"Yes, bishop, I am satisfied. The 
demon is no longer in my heart ; but 
he tries to contaminate my soul, and I 
have not strength enough to combat 
him." 

"Very well, study thy catechism 
diligently, and if by Pentecost thou art 



A LITTLE SAINT. 4* 

prepared, I will come and confirm 
thee." * 

This promise made the naive child 
nearly beside herself with joy. 

" I thank thee so much/' she ex- 
claimed. " I will study very hard ; I 
learn quickly. My good angel will as- 
sist me/' 

Josephine redoubled her efforts. But 
in the interval she was attacked by a 
new illness, from which she barely re- 
covered by Pentecost. Her confidence 
that she would be well enough to be 
confirmed never v/avered. She con- 
stantly said, " I am not afraid ; Jesus 
will aid me, He will give me strength/' 

A few days before the feast, Mon- 
seigneur came to see the two neo- 
phytes. 

" Dear bishop," said Josephine, " I 

* Contrary to the French custom, children are 
confirmed before their first communion, not only 
in Italy, but in nearly all other countries. 



42 A LITTLE SAINT 

will go to confession to thee, for my 
confirmation/ ' 

" Very well, my dear child. " 

" When will you be here ?" 
The morning of the feast before my 
mass. " 

" I thank thee very much. While 
waiting I will prepare myself with great 
care. ' ' 

On the feast of Pentecost Mon- 
seigneur heard her confession and con- 
firmed her. The angelic child wore 
for the ceremony her white baptismal 
dress. She had a sort of religious ven- 
eration for this dress. She covered it 
with kisses, and she permitted no one 
but her Mamma to touch it. 

M My dear bishop/' she would say, 
" gave me this white dress ; he touched 
it — yes, he touched it with his own 
hands. Mamma, be very careful of my 
baptismal robe. ,, 

The good pastor came very often to 



OF NINE YEARS. 43 

see his new children. He seemed to 
take great delight in talking with them. 
Apropos of his visits, the following 
incident amused us very much. An 
elderly, dignified priest came with his 
Grace on one occasion. The innocent 
familiarity of the children with the 
bishop seemed to him very disrespect- 
ful to so high a dignitary. 

1 * This is too much ; that will do, that 
is enough," said he to Josephine, in a 
very severe tone. 

The rebuke wounded the little girl 
deeply. What ! did he wish to restrain 
the expression of her grateful affec- 
tion ? Still holding the bishop's hand, 
which she pressed firmly, the noble Af- 
rican cast upon her importunate censor 
a withering glance. 

" This is too much ! that will do !" 
she cried. " No, it is not too much ; 
that will not do ; it is not enough for 
my dear bishop, who is my good father, 



44 A LITTLE SAINT 

who baptized me, who chased the 
demon from my soul, who opened 
heaven to me, who made me a child of 
God. Who told thee that it was 
enough ? who told thee that it was too 
much ?" Then lowering her voice, she 
added, " Dear bishop, thou art very 
good ;" and saying this, she over- 
whelmed her venerated father with 
caresses. 

Josephine said no more then ; but 
the next time she saw the bishop she 
said to him, " Dear bishop, do me the 
favor never to bring here again that 
one who said ' That is enough, that is 
enough/ " 

" But why, my child ?" 

" Because he does not wish me to 
caress my father. I do not like that 
man. I pray for him ; but leave him at 
home." 

The poor child always cried when 
the bishop went away, She wanted 



OF NINE YEARS. 45 

him to stay with her, or to take her to 
live with him. She would turn to me 
and say, "Mamma, art thou not will- 
ing that I should go live with the 
bishop ? Do let me go, dear Mamma ; 
the bishop would teach me to preach ; 
then I could teach and baptize all those 
bad people down there in the Arabs' 
country." 



CHAPTER V. 

FIRST COMMUNION. 

The work of divine grace in the pure 
heart of Josephine was unceasing, and 
her fidelity in corresponding to it most 
admirable. It was equally apparent in 
all her actions as well as in her forti- 
tude in suffering. 

Her illnesses followed, one after 
another, almost without interruption. 
But if she happened to feel in the least 
better, she would sit up in bed and 
recommence her work. All she did was 
as remarkable for its beautiful finish as 
for its exquisite neatness. Josephine's 
conversation was always solid, and 
very sensible. Levity always dis- 
pleased her. She often reproved her 



A LITTLE SAINT. 47 

companion Marie because she was a 
nature that was very fond of laughing 
and amusing herself. Josephine would 
say, in a serious tone, " Marie, what art 
thou doing there ? That will do, that 
is enough ; do not chatter so. It is 
much better to talk with Jesus and to 
study your catechism/ ' 

Her illness never made her omit her 
daily exercises of piety, nor ever pre- 
vented her from performing them with 
her habitual fervor. Nothing could be 
more touching than Josephine's pious, 
recollected attitude in prayer. In 
church her perfect immobility was as- 
tonishing. She never wanted to leave 
the holy place. When she was called 
away, the pious child would say, " Let 
me remain a little longer with Jesus : I 
do love to stay here. " She unceasing- 
ly made aspirations to God and spirit- 
ual communions. " 

This recalls to my mind a charming 



48 A LITTLE SAINT 

incident which occurred before ner 
baptism. 

When Amna first came to us, she no- 
ticed the Sisters at mass, going one by 
one to the little window through which 
they received Holy Communion. 
"Why do the Sisters go there ?" she 
asked her teacher. 

" They go there to receive Jesus." 

The child said nothing more, but the 
next morning, as soon as she saw the 
Sisters going toward the window she 
left her place, and joining her hands, 
started to follow them. 

"Where are you going?" asked 
Sister. 

" To receive Jesus." 

" No, no, you cannot receive Jesus ; 
you are not yet baptized." 

1 ' Let me kiss Him, let me kiss Him, 
replied the child, greatly mortified. 

She thought, If I may not have the 
happiness of receiving Jesus, at least 



OF NINE YEARS. 49 

let me kiss Him. When she found she 
could not do this, the pious child 
seemed inconsolable. Before her bap- 
tism Josephine's desire for Holy Com- 
munion was so great that when she be- 
came a Christian, and was fortified by 
the Sacrament of Confirmation, her 
eagerness to unite herself to the God of 
love knew no bounds. 

Every time she saw the bishop, she 
would say, " Dear bishop, if thou art 
really my father, if thou lovest me, I 
beseech thee to give me my Jesus ; I 
cannot live without Him." 

" You already belong wholly to 
Jesus ; what more do you desire ? For 
the present be contented." 

11 No, no. I am not contented as 
long as I do not receive Jesus in my 
heart." Then raising her little hands 
like a poor suppliant, and with tears in 
her voice, she exclaimed, " Do me this 
act of charity ; give me Jesus soon." 



SO A LITTLE SAINT, 

It was almost impossible to resist 
such entreaties. Moreover, a careful 
examination proved that the little sup- 
pliant was sufficiently well instructed, 
and the bishop decided to let her make 
her first communion on the feast of the 
Sacred Heart, the 23d of June, 1854. 
The holy child was overjoyed at this 
news ; her heart overflowed with thank- 
fulness. Her gratitude knew no 
bounds, and in the ecstasy of her hap- 
piness she begged her dear father the 
bishop to come and hear her confes- 
sion for that solemn day. 

" What !" I said, " do you always 
want to give the bishop so much trou- 
ble, just to hear your confession ?" 

" No, Mamma, I only wish him to 
hear my confession for my first com- 
munion, then I will not ask him again. 
I will go to the father confessor here- 
after ;" and Josephine kept her word. 



CHAPTER VI. 

JOSEPHINE'S ADMIRABLE LOVE FOR 
HOLY COMMUNION. 

Her first communion awakened in 
her loving heart an insatiable hunger 
for the bread of angels. Confined 
most of the time to her bed, her great- 
est sacrifice was not being able to re- 
ceive communion as frequently as her 
heart desired. She often said to her 
companion, " How happy thou art, 
Marie ; thou canst receive communion 
frequently ; take care to profit by it. ' ' 
When her health permitted her to go 
to communion in the chapel, which was 
very rare, the evening before she always 
asked to be waked very early. 

Very often, after a bad night, it was 
an effort for the poor child to rise in 



52 A LITTLE SAINT 

time for mass. But animated by Sister, 
she would take courage and go to the 
Holy Table, where our dear Lord, who 
recompenses the sacrifices inspired by 
love for Him, generally filled her soul 
with pure delight. Nothing could be 
more charming than the simple way in 
which she would then speak of her hap- 
piness. "This morning the demon 
wished to make me lose my com- 
munion, but I took care not to listen 
to him. Now I am well. Jesus aided 
me ; I did not suffer at all, and my 
heart bounds with joy. " 

One feast day Josephine, when she 
was called to go to mass, said, with her 
usual amiability, that she feared she 
was not strong enough to get up. Sis- 
ter asked her to try, and told her if she 
felt too weak to remain up she could 
go back to bed again. The child rose, 
but with an effort that brought tears to 
her eyes. When she had rested a few 



OF NINE YEARS. 53 

moments she said to Sister, " Oh my 
dear, I did not tell you an untruth ; I 
did feel very, very ill ; but it has 
passed off now. It really was the 
demon who wanted to prevent my ris- 
ing. I am well now." The poor child 
seemed still quite weak, yet she said, 
" I am well now." 

After Holy Communion, Josephine 
exclaimed, " Ah ! yes, how strong I 
will be with Jesus in my heart. " Gen- 
erally on the days of her communion 
she suffered much less. Experiencing 
the ineffable sweetness of grace, she 
said to Sister, " Oh, how glad I am that 
I conquered myself. If thou couldst 
see my heart — it bounds with joy. 
The demon weeps, but Jesus smiles. 
Yes, yes, I will always listen to Je- 
sus." 

On the days of her communion her 
joyous transports and fervor were ex- 
traordinary, particularly when she re- 



54 A LITTLE SAINT 

ceived in bed. She was then overheard 
pouring forth her ardent love in tender 
colloquies with God, the Blessed Vir- 
gin, and the saints. There was some- 
thing almost divine in the outpouring 
of this innocent soul, so imbued with 
the love of Jesus. She had but one 
wish, to suffer or to die. 

One evening a slight untruth escaped 
her : * ' You cannot go to communion, 
Sister said, " at least not till you have 
first acknowledged your fault to Mam- 
ma, and asked her permission to go to 
confession. ' ' This was certainly a very 
severe reproof to so proud a nature. 
Josephine accepted it without a word. 
Unfortunately, the next morning, I do 
not remember for what reason, she 
could neither go to confession nor Holy 
Communion. The unhappy child's 
grief was intense, and if she had not 
been consoled and comforted it would 
have made her ill. She repeated in- 



OF NINE YEARS. 55 

cessantly, with sobs and tears, "Ah! 
not to receive Jesus ! Ah ! not to 
receive Jesus ! Ah ! what a sorrow !" 

This was her first and last untruth. 
Her delicacy on this subject was so 
great that she would often say to Sister 
in the evening, " I cannot sleep, be- 
cause I said such or such a thing ; was 
it an untruth ?" 

" No, dear child, rest quietly." 

And the dear little angel would fall 
peacefully asleep. 

The pious child's ardent desire for 
Holy Communion was inspired by her 
tender love for God, and by her lively 
faith in the marvellous effects of this 
new spiritual nourishment. 

" I have so much need," she would 
say, " to receive Jesus, that He may 
help me to suffer." 

How many times she asked me to 
allow her to receive communion, that 
she might not lose patience in her suf- 



56 A LITTLE SAINT. 

fering, saying, " Jesus will help me to 
suffer for love of Him. He will 
strengthen me." 



CHAPTER VII. 

THE DEAR CHILD'S LIVELY FAITH, 

FERVOR, AND ANGELIC PATIENCE. 

i 
CONFESSION was very repugnant to 

her haughty nature. Nevertheless she 

always made her confession with lively 

sentiments of contrition and humility, 

and with difficulty restrained her tears. 

The word of God had great attrac- 
tion for her. One of her greatest de- 
sires was never to miss a sermon ; and 
there was nothing she would not do to 
hear one. One evening, hearing some 
one preach on the love of God, she wept 
during the entire sermon. 

" Oh," she exclaimed in indescriba- 
ble accents, " if this sermon could have 
lasted all night !" 



5^ A LITTLE SAINT 

1 What !" I said, " would you have 
no compassion on the preacher ?" 

" He could rest a little. While he 
rested the father confessor could 
preach ; when the father confessor was 
tired, the other could continue his ser- 
mon ; for I love dearly to hear of the 
love of God." 

Another time, hearing a sermon on 
heaven, Josephine noticed her compan- 
ion, Marie, weeping with happiness. 
On leaving the chapel she said to one of 
the Sisters, 

" Didst thou see Marie crying during 
the sermon ? M 

" Why did she cry when she was hear- 
ing about heaven ?" asked the Sister. 

" Oh, dost thou not know?" asked 
the child, with astonishment. "It is 
not for fear of losing heaven that we 
cry ; no, it is because we are so happy, 
and when the heart is very happy it 
makes us cry with joy." 



OF NINE YEARS. 59 

Her confidence in God was no less 
admirable. When the political troubles 
began we could not help feeling very- 
sad, when we thought that very soon, 
perhaps, we would be obliged to leave 
our dear home. Little Josephine was 
our consoling angel. " No, no, we will 
not go ; rest assured, dear Sisters, the 
Blessed Virgin will protect us. Our 
dear Lord will not permit the Sisters 
who received the little Africans to be 
driven from their home. No, no, Jesus 
tells my heart that you will not go/' 

One of the Sisters, more alarmed 
than the others, often said, " My child, 
pray very fervently, and offer Jesus 
your suffering to obtain that we may 
remain here." 

" Do not be troubled ; I tell thee we 
will not go." 

" However," replied the Sister, " if 
God wishes it, we must be resigned to 
go." 



60 A LITTLE SAINT 

" Very well," replied the child, in a 
resolute, serious, and almost reproach- 
ful tone ; " thou canst keep thy fear. I 
will still be confident.' ' 

Her confidence was not in vain. 
Thanks to God, we were left in peace. 

Our little J osephine had a strong pre- 
sentiment that her life would be short, 
and she eagerly profited of the brief 
time that remained to her. Young as 
she was, no occasion of meriting heaven 
ever escaped her vigilance. 

One of the Sisters, reading " The 
Annals of the Little Negresses" at 
Josephine's bedside, saw the child's 
face bathed in tears, and said, 

44 Why do you cry, my child ; are 
you feeling worse ?" 

" No, I cry because those little ne- 
gresses do so much penance and fast so 
much ; and poor me, I do nothing. 
How will I ever get to heaven ?" 

We consoled her by making her un- 



OF NINE YEARS. 61 

derstand that God, who deprived her 
of health, did not require her to do 
penance, but to suffer patiently the ill- 
ness He sent her. Josephine under- 
stood this so well that her patience 
never failed. Once only, in an excess 
of suffering, she was heard to exclaim, 
" I can bear no more !" Although 
pain drew tears to her eyes, yet it never 
lessened her love of suffering. 

Soon after her first communion Jo- 
sephine's health became much worse. 
Sister fearing that she would again be 
confined to her bed urged her to ask 
God for strength to remain up a little 
longer. The next day Josephine re- 
ceived communion : " This morning/ ' 
she said to Sister, " I asked Jesus if 
He wished me to suffer, to grant me 
patience, but at least to permit me to 
stay up yet a little while, so as not to 
incommode the Sisters. " Her prayer 
was granted for a time, but shortly 



02 A LITTLE SAINT 

afterward her suffering increased so that 
she was obliged to keep her bed. 

We hoped that Josephine's health 
would be benefitted by the baths she 
was taking, but they were of no avail ; 
her sufferings were not in the least 
diminished ; her cough particularly be- 
came daily more severe ; she lingered 
thus in continual alternations of suffer- 
ing until the end of the autumn of 1 854, 
when a tumor formed in her stomach, 
which gave her great pain. 

Not knowing what this might be, I 
thought it best to consult the physi- 
cians. God, to increase the merit of 
His little servant, did not permit the 
real nature of her illness to be known. 
It was supposed to be an internal rup- 
ture, and to prevent fatal consequences 
an iron belt was placed on the child. 
This instrument pressed so hard that 
the poor patient suffered inconceivable 
torture. The violence of the pain some- 



OF NINE YEARS. 63 

times forced tears to her eyes, but 
never a complaint : she offered all to 
God, always happy to suffer for Jesus, 
who had suffered so much for her. " I 
am glad to suffer," exclaimed the 
heroic child. ' To carry the cross with 
Jesus is painful ; but I will have a beau- 
tiful paradise." 

One of the Sisters said to her com- 
passionately, " I would, if I could, re- 
lieve you by taking part of your suffer- 
ings. " " If you took part of my suffer- 
ings," replied Josephine, " Jesus would 
give you part of my paradise. No, no, 
I thank you very much ; but I wish to 
have all the pain and all the paradise. 
I am glad to have so much to bear, be- 
cause I will have a more beautiful para- 
dise." 

Finally the real nature of this illness 
was discovered. Several remedies were 
applied, but without success, and an 
operation was considered necessary. 



64 A LITTLE SAINT 

Josephine was with great difficulty per- 
suaded to agree to it. The mere sight 
of the instruments made her tremble, 
but her love for Jesus soon overcame her 
fears. The courageous child submit- 
ted to the painful operation, and bore 
it with great patience. After the inci- 
sion she was so weakened by the loss 
of blood and the discharge from the 
wound that she could not hold up her 
head. This troubled her very much, 
as she was afraid of becoming uncon- 
scious. To comfort her she was told 
that even if she were to die uncon- 
scious, her soul, being in a state of 
grace, would go to heaven. 

"Yes/' replied Josephine, "but I 
could not receive the sacraments/' 

She received very amiably the Sisters 
who came to see her, and knew so well 
how to entertain them. One day she 
heard all the bells in the city ringing. 

44 What is that for ?" she asked. 



OF NINE YEARS. 65 

4 ' It is to announce the death of our 
queen." 

Just then they brought Josephine 
her soup. 

" Poor king," the dear child ex- 
claimed, "he does not care to dine. 
If I were dead I would be happy in 
heaven, and the king would not cry at 
my death." 

The 26th of February, Rev. Father 
Olivieri, accompanied by one of the 
Trinitarian Fathers, came to the con- 
vent, bringing with them two more little 
Africans, for whom we had asked him! 
With the bishop's permission they came 
into the cloister to see our little invalid. 
As soon as she saw her dear Abuya she 
wept with joy. Then embracing her new 
companions, she exclaimed in holy trans- 
ports, "Oh, joy! Oh, what happi- 
ness ! two more little Africans for hea- 
ven." From that moment she became 
their friend, interpreter, and teacher. 



66 A LITTLE SAINT. 

If an improper word escaped the lips of 
these poor little infidels she immedi- 
ately corrected them gently, saying, 
' ' That is not right. Africans speak that 
way because they are not baptized ; 
but Christians who have Jesus in their 
hearts do not say such words. You 
whom God has brought here to be 
made Christians ought to learn to 
speak like them ; they do not use bad 
words." 

When her health permitted, Jo- 
sephine would sit up and explain the 
catechism to her pupils, teach them to 
read, to work, and to make pious aspira- 
tions ; to ask God, above all, the grace 
of holy baptism. She required them 
to take great care to be very neat and 
modest, saying to them, "God sees 
all " 



CHAPTER VIII. 

HER CONFIDENCE IN ST. JOSEPH. 

Her health improved a little in the 
spring, but she could not stand, and was 
obliged to receive communion in bed. 
The feast of St. Joseph, the 19th of 
March, was approaching. Josephine 
had received the Bread of Angels a few 
days before, but she was most anxious 
to receive again, on the feast of her 
patron saint. To console her I told 
her communion would be brought to 
her. Her happiness was complete. 
From that moment she could not con- 
tain her joy. To all the Sisters who 
came to see her she exclaimed, " I am 
so happy, I am so happy ! To-mor- 
row I will receive Jesus. Ah ! what 
joy." Then turning to the Infirmarian 



68 A LITTLE SAINT 

she said, " If thou couldst see how my 
heart beats. Oh ! I will not sleep to- 
night. Dear Jesus, make the day dawn 
quickly, in order to come to my heart.' ' 
Saying this, the angelic child crossed 
her little arms on her breast, as if to 
still the violent throbbing of her loving 
heart. 

After dinner, during the sermon, the 
Sister in charge of her was obliged to 
leave her a moment. On her return she 
found Josephine sitting up in bed, her 
eyes and hands raised to heaven, look- 
ing more angelic than human, and 
pouring forth her heart in tender col- 
loquies with her holy protector. Her 
voice was so strong, and rapture so in- 
tense, that she seemed to see heaven 
open. " Oh, St. Joseph !" she cried ; 
" Oh, St. Joseph ! how beautiful thou 
art ! Oh, Jesus ! Oh, Mary ! Oh, all ye 
holy angels of paradise, how beautiful 
ye are. St. Joseph, come quickly to 



OF NINE YEARS. 69 

take me to heaven to enjoy it with 
thee. I have no longer any desire to 
remain here. Oh ! to be in heaven in 
thy company : Heaven, where all is 
good ; no more evil, always to see 
Jesus, Mary, the angels. No more 
need to eat, or to sleep ; always to en- 
joy, always to be happy ! But, oh, 
St. Joseph, remember I do not want to 
be here on thy feast next year. I want 
to celebrate it in heaven with thee !" 
And we might say her prayer was not 
entirely unheeded, for she died the fol- 
lowing year, a little more than a month 
after the feast of the Patriarch of 
Nazareth. 



CHAPTER IX. 

HER CONSECRATION TO THE BLESSED 
VIRGIN. 

ONE day our dear little angel said to 
me, " I want to tell thee something 
which I have very much at heart ; but 
I am afraid thou mayest not be willing. 
If thou art not satisfied I will be 
patient. I will do whatever Mamma 
wishes. " 

" What is it, dear child ; is anything 
troubling you ?" 

" No, Mamma, I wanted to ask thee 
to allow me to make a vow to the 
Blessed Virgin to wear blue for a year 
in her honor. " 

1 Who put that in your mind ?" 

" No one, nobody. It was my good 
angel who told it to me/' 



A LITTLE SAINT. 71 

" But why do you wish to make this 
vow r 

" That the Blessed Virgin may obtain 
for me to die this year, and go to hea- 
ven with her (this was granted her), or 
to make me a little better, that I may 
be able to help the Sisters. I do love 
to serve the Sisters !" 

I felt I ought to accede to her pious 
desire. 

On the feast of the Immaculate Con- 
ception, the 8th of December, 1855, 
after communion, Josephine received 
the (i Livery of Mary." Her new blue 
dress made her very happy. She kissed 
it tenderly, saying every moment, 
" Dear dress of the Blessed Virgin, I 
am so happy to have received thee ! 
The Blessed Virgin has obtained for me 
the grace to wear her dress ; later she 
will obtain for me the grace to to take 
the veil.* Dear Holy Virgin, thou art 
truly my very good Mother !" 

* This, as we shall see, was also granted her. 



CHAPTER X. 

INCREASING SANCTITY OF THE LITTLE 
MARTYR. 

Meanwhile the virtuous child pass- 
ed her days in patient suffering ; her 
piety was as tender as it was solid. 
Frequent communion was to her a 
great source of strength. 

"Yes, yes, I w T ill always listen to 
Jesus/' said Josephine, one morning 
after a communion, obtained at the 
price of a most painful sacrifice, which 
filled her soul with heavenly delight. 

" Pray for me," said Sister, " that I 
also may think oftener of Jesus." 

" Of what, then, do you think, if you 
do not think of Jesus ?" asked the lit- 
tle saint with great simplicity. 

One of the Sisters entering the room 



A LITTLE SAINT. 73 

suddenly one day found Josephine 
with her hands joined and her eyes 
raised to heaven. " What are you 
doing, dear child ?" asked Sister. 

" I am praying for the Arabs." 

Her compassion for poor sinners was 
very great. She constantly offered her 
cruel sufferings for their salvation. 

Once she was overheard asking our 
Lord to deign to teach her to carry 
the cross. "Dear Jesus," she said, 
" teach me how to bear the cross, be- 
cause of myself alone I can do noth- 
mg. 

One morning the little invalid arose 
with her eyes so swollen she could hard- 
ly open them. " Perhaps," she said, 
14 I am going to be blind ; but I will 
be patient, and I will not see the faults 
of others. I would much rather lose 
my sight than lose my mind ; for if I 
lost my mind I could not think of 
Jesus, nor speak to Him, nor of Him ; 



74 A LITTLE SAINT 

and I could not receive the sacra- 
ments. " 

In a few days Josephine felt a little 
stronger, and was able to get up ; but 
the improvement was only temporary. 
The swelling increased so rapidly we 
did not know what remedies to apply. 
While she was still up, the poor child's 
legs and stomach swelled enormously, 
and in bed her face became monstrous. 
Meanwhile she was always tranquil, and 
occupied only with heaven, so much 
that the Infirmarian said to her, " Oh, 
you will go to heaven when God wishes 
it." 

"Yes," replied the child; " but 
when I speak of going to heaven, I 
mean that I go there in spirit, and 
then I return here." 

Josephine lingered thus until the 
middle of Lent, 1856. She made great 
efforts to get up in the morning and to 
remain fasting long enough to receive 



OF NINE YEARS. 75 

Holy Communion. Although she was 
quite a pleasing looking child, her ill- 
ness made her appear almost deformed. 
Everybody felt the greatest compas- 
sion for her, especially those who had 
seen her when she first came to us. 
" Poor Josephine I" exclaimed one of 
the Sisters, looking at her pityingly, 
" what has become of that pretty little 
body ?" 

( ' It matters little to me, ' ' replied the 
poor little invalid, " if my body is de- 
formed. The body goes under the 
ground. I am satisfied if my soul is 
beautiful that goes to heaven. I can 
please Jesus even with a deformed 
body." 

One day, during the reading in the 
refectory, Josephine wept and ate noth- 
ing. 

"What is the matter ?" asked the 
Sister seated next to her. 

"What is the matter ?" replied the 



76 A LITTLE SAINT 

child. " What ! dost thou not hear how 
much Jesus has suffered for love of 
me r 

At another time, hearing the life of 
a saint read, " Poor saint," she said, 
4 'he did so much penance, and I do 
nothing." 

Constantly witnessing the operations 
of divine grace in the heart of a child, 
and seeing so much wisdom in one so 
young always filled me with astonish- 
ment. " Oh, my God," I exclaimed, 
" my God, how grand thou art in thy 
works !" 

Josephine was at times terribly trou- 
bled by great interior fears. " I am 
dreadfully afraid of the demon," she 
used to say, " he is such an ugly 
beast." 

If the name of the demon, or hell, 
occurred often during the reading at 
table, the poor child would exclaim, 
trembling with fear, " I do not want to 



OF NINE YEARS. 77 

eat any more, the demon and hell 
frighten me so !" But the slightest 
word from her confessor or from me 
would always calm her fears. One 
day, about the hour of complins, Jo- 
sephine was seized with such violent 
pains in her head that she thought 
she would faint. Nevertheless she 
took courage and went to confession 
and benediction. On leaving the 
chapel, when they wished to put her to 
bed she asked to speak to me. Not 
knowing where I was, they urged her 
to go to bed, promising to bring me to 
her. At that moment I passed through 
the cloister with the chaplain, on his 
way to visit one of the sick. The poor 
child, seeing me, called out, " Mamma, 
Mamma, please do come here ; I want 
so much to speak to thee !" 

' Yes, yes, in a few minutes I will 
come to you," I said ; but the dear 
child called still more eagerly, sobs 



7^ A LITTLE SAINT 

choking her voice, " Mamma, Mamma, 
I beseech thee ; I want to see thee so 
much." 

I had not the heart to make her wait, 
and excusing myself to the chaplain I 
took Josephine to my room, where we 
talked for a long time. She spoke of 
nothing but her fears for her eternal 
salvation, and so touchingly that I 
mingled my tears with hers. 

Having reassured her, I confided her 
to the care of the Sister who came to 
take her to bed. Josephine feeling the 
peace of her soul restored, showed Sis- 
ter a picture of the Blessed Virgin and 
a relic of a holy martyr which I had 
just given her, and said, " I will pray 
to them both, and if it is the will of 
God I will be cured. I am so happy 
since my talk with Mamma, and I do 
not fear the demon any more, because 
Mamma told me that I would surely go 
to heaven, and if I suffered patiently I 



OF NINE YEARS. 79 

would not even go through purgatory, 
but directly to heaven. Oh, I am so 
happy !" 

After this the shooting pains in her 
head diminished. I had advised a blis- 
ter being applied to her arm ; but the 
poor child dreaded it so much in the 
weak and exhausted state to which her 
sufferings had reduced her, I had not the 
heart to enforce it. The Infirmarian 
had recourse to the following expedient : 
She prepared the blister, and coming to 
the poor little invalid she said, " Listen, 
dear ; Mamma asks a great favor of 
you ; will you not grant it to her ?" 

" What does she wish ?" 

" I will tell you ; but in order not to 
give you pain she will not oblige you 
to do it." 

" Ah, yes, yes, I understand ; you 
wish to put a blister on me, to burn 
me; that frightens me. " 

" Very well, you need not have it." 



8o a LITTLE SAINT 

The little invalid reflected a few mo- 
ments. 

She then said, " Well, I will let you 
put it on through obedience, and Jesus 
will bless me for it." 

They applied it immediately. 

She passed a quiet night. As soon 
as it was day she said to Sister, " I did 
not sleep at all last night." 

Did the blister hurt you so badly ?' ' 

" No, no, that was not the reason. 
It was because I felt so happy for 
having obeyed. All night my heart 
throbbed with joy, and Jesus said to me 
that He was pleased with me because 
I had been obedient." 

The blister relieved the pains in her 
head, but the humors went to her right 
arm, where they gradually formed a 
tumor, from which the poor child suf- 
fered very much. At first they tried 
rubbing, but without any result ; the 
swelling visibly increased. Josephine 



OF NINE YEARS. 8i 

bore this additional infliction with new 
courage. It was at night she suffered 
most, and the kind Infirmarian told the 
child that she must always call her, 
without fear of tiring her. But the 
poor little patient, for fear Sister's 
health would be injured by losing her 
rest, never woke her except in case of 
great necessity. 

The Infirmarian asked her how she 
passed the night. " I slept but little/' 
she replied, " because my arm hurt me 
very much ; but I said more then fifty 
times, The will of God be done." 

This was the fervent and continual 
aspiration of this angelic soul in the 
midst of her sufferings. 

If Sister was obliged to leave her 
sometimes, Josephine would say, " Oh, 
yes, go, go ; do not be troubled. I am 
not alone. I am with Jesus, and Mary, 
and my good angel. # Give me a book 
also, and I will need nothing more." 



82 A LITTLE SAINT 

One morning she awoke in extraor- 
dinary transports of joy. ' ' Last night, ' ' 
she exclaimed, " I was such a longtime 
in heaven. " 

" What did you see there?" asked 
Sister. 

" I saw a beautiful lady with a great 
many others, and I said to her, * Holy 
Virgin, I do not suffer as much as Jesus 
did. I would wish like Him to have a 
crown of thorns on my head, nails in my 
hands and feet, and a lance in my heart. ' 
The Blessed Virgin said to me, * Think 
on the Passion of Jesus, suffer patiently 
a little longer, then I will come and take 
you to heaven with me/ " 

Josephine then asked for a book on 
the Passion. It was given to her at 
once. When she read it she could with 
difficulty restrain her tears. " Oh, how 
much this book helps me to suffer pa- 
tiently, " she exclaimed every moment. 

These loving raptures of the little 



OF NINE YEARS. 83 

Josephine, it is well to remark, were 
never called forth by any one. On the 
contrary, she was never encouraged in 
them. She was constantly told that 
true piety does not consist in pious 
words, tender tears, affectionate senti- 
ments alone ; but above all in suffering 
willingly for the love of God, in always 
doing His holy will, and continually re- 
nouncing our own, after the example 
and teaching of our divine Saviour. 
Such were the lessons constantly taught 
the pious child, and with such effect 
that one day she appeared greatly mor- 
tified, and after a moment's silence she 
said very sweetly to the person who 
had been talking to her, " I also have 
a great desire to suffer ; and if God 
sends me more illness I will be better 
satisfied. I have also promised Jesus 
never to do my own will," 

One day Josephine, with tears in her 
eyes, said to the Sister who waited on 



84 A LITTLE SAINT 

her night and day, " Forgive me, my 
dear Sister. I have given thee so much 
trouble. I never do promptly what 
thou wishest ; I disturb thee so often 
thou canst not sleep at night ; and I 
tire thee running up and down stairs so 
much, and standing so long for me." 

Sister, wishing to try the holy child, 
said, " If you really would renounce 
your own will a little more you could 
do nothing better, for that would please 
Jesus very much. Do not be troubled 
about me; I love you, and I am very 
willing to serve you." 

When Sister asked her if she wished 
such or such a thing, " Tell me," she 
would say, " what I ought to do ; be- 
cause if I make a choice I do my own 
will." Josephine struggled bravely in 
this regard and succeeded marvellously ; 
each day showed new victories. 

If sometimes her will was not suffi- 
ciently prompt in stifling the cries of 



OF NINE YEARS. 85 

her sufferings, she was never tardy in 
making reparation for this weakness. 
The poor little martyr was immediately 
overwhelmed with humility and repent- 
ance, confessing her supposed fault, 
and shedding bitter tears for fear of 
having displeased her Jesus. In a 
word, her grief w T as so intense it was 
necessary to console her and renew her 
courage. These were really her only 
faults. The manner in which she ex- 
piated them left no doubt that after her 
death they did not retard her immedi- 
ate entrance into heaven. 



CHAPTER XL 

HER HEROIC RESIGNATION IN THE 
MIDST OF FRIGHTFUL SUFFERING. 

Meanwhile the trouble in her arm 
increased every day, the pains became 
more and more severe. Poor Josephine 
could neither eat, sleep, nor occupy 
herself with the lightest work ; and, in- 
dustrious as she was, this forced idle- 
ness made her quite sad. 

In the hope of relieving her all 
sorts of remedies were applied, but 
without success. It was necessary to 
have recourse to another operation. 

As soon as she saw the surgeon the 
poor child began to cry ; for, as we have 
said, the sight of a sharp instrument 
terrified her. However, she was soon 
convinced of the necessity of this new 



A LITTLE SAINT. 87 

sacrifice. She submitted to the painful 
operation without a sigh, or even a 
word. She did not even wish her arm 
to be supported. 

From this day Josephine's martyr- 
dom, instead of abating, increased in a 
most violent manner. A terrible cough 
was added to her other ills. It was 
different from her ordinary cough. The 
attacks of coughing, always severe, be- 
came, toward eight o'clock in the even- 
ing, still more violent, and continued 
an entire hour without the slightest in- 
termission. 

One evening the fit of coughing be- 
gan suddenly an hour earlier than usual, 
and lasted four entire hours, so tortur- 
ing and convulsing the poor patient 
that we feared every moment she would 
smother. Remedies to relieve her suf- 
ferings were with difficulty administered 
between the paroxysms, but without in 
the least relaxing the violence of the 



88 A LITTLE SAINT 

cough. The convulsive efforts of the 
poor little one, which could be heard at 
a great distance, filled our hearts with 
pity. 

Let us admire here the power of 
grace. A prey to the torture of these 
frightful convulsions, which continually 
increased, so that the wound in her 
stomach reopened by the violence of 
the cough ; suffering from a throat irri- 
tated by so many remedies ; yet the 
heroic child never evinced the slightest 
impatience. Not a tear, not a gesture, 
not a sigh betrayed the least shade of 
weariness, or disgust for her sufferings. 
She was always calm and tranquil ; 
scarcely had the attack ceased, when 
Josephine would take up the conversa- 
tion as calmly and sweetly as if she had 
suffered nothing. 

One of the Sisters, who with the In- 
firmarian took care of the little invalid, 
said, " I have served many years in the 



OF NINE YEARS. Sg 

infirmary ; I have taken care of a great 
many religious, and I have seen them 
suffer with admirable faith and pa- 
tience ; but such calmness in one so 
young is most astonishing." While 
speaking, her emotion was so great she 
could not restrain her tears. 

Finally at a very late hour Josephine 
was able to sleep. When she awoke 
she said, " Listen, Sister ; last evening 
when I was coughing so hard, and thou 
gavest me such bad bitter medicines, I 
took them willingly because I thought 
all the time of the vinegar Jesus tasted, 
and they did not seem bad or bitter, 
they seemed good." 

The condition of the little invalid be- 
came so much worse she required espe- 
cial care and attention. " My child," 
I said to her, " do you dislike to go to 
the infirmary ?" 

" Whatever pleases Mamma pleases 
me also," she replied, with angelic 



9° A LITTLE SAINT 

sweetness ; "do as you intended, dear 
Mamma ; I am always content when 
Mamma is satisfied/' 

Two days afterward I had her taken 
to the infirmary, where she remained 
until her death. For ten days our 
dearly loved Josephine lay immovable 
on her bed, which had become her 
cross. A monstrous swelling rendered 
her poor little body perfectly shapeless. 
She could move only her left hand, 
but with great difficulty and severe 
pain. Her sufferings increased spas- 
modically, and varied continually. We 
no longer knew what to do to relieve 
her. 

The swelling was so great it caused 
several wounds to open on her body, 
from all of which issued poisonous and 
offensive humors. Each member of 
her body was similarly afflicted. Her 
appearance reminded us of Job. Eight 
frightful wounds disfigured her littla 



OF NINE YEARS. 91 

body, and mortification seemed to have 
completely set in. In this condition it 
was almost impossible to administer to 
her wants. 

Her sufferings at this time were in- 
describable. The most acute pains in 
her stomach and head, constant faint- 
ing fits, violent vomiting, dreadful 
chills followed by burning fever — such 
were her daily sufferings, such the heart- 
rending spectacle which brought tears 
to our eyes. 



CHAPTER XII. 

THE LAST DAYS OF OUR DEAR LITTLE 
AFRICAN. 

Josephine's patience and courage 
increased with each new suffering. Her 
room in the infirmary was a school of 
Christian heroism. There she lay on 
her bed of torture, as if it were a bed 
of roses. She never spoke of her 
sufferings unless she was questioned 
about them, and then her answers were 
very brief, and never manifested the 
least self-pity. She always held the 
crucifix firmly in her hands, and the 
more severe her pains were, the more 
ardently she kissed the adorable wounds 
of her Jesus. This was the only con- 
solation she permitted herself. 

She suffered thus in silence with lov- 



A LITTLE SAINT 93 

ing resignation. " Each pain endured 
patiently for love of Jesus is a new 
flower added to our crown in heaven," 
she would sometimes say to us, with a 
smile of celestial sweetness illumining 
her suffering face. 

Angelic modesty was Josephine's dis- 
tinctive characteristic. Her delicacy 
in this respect was extreme. She 
never allowed any hand but the Infir- 
marian's to touch her ; and it was im- 
possible for the Infirmarian, whether 
alone or in the presence of others, to 
make her uncover even her arm. 

" My child," I said to her one day, 
" the Sisters are all the spouses of Jesus 
Christ, and they do all things with great 
prudence and discretion ; therefore 
when Sister Mary-Josephine (the In- 
firmarian) is not here, let her assistant 
take care of you." 

* Yes, Mamma," replied the little in- 
valid with her usual sweetness, " I will 



94 A LITTLE SAINT 

do everything as thou wishest it ; but 
if thou hast no objections I would be 
much pleased if Sister Mary-Josephine 
alone could do everything for me, be- 
cause I am ashamed before the others, 
and then I am afraid it cannot but be 
unpleasant to the poor Sisters to render 
me such disagreeable services. " She 
cried all the time while telling me this. 

She received the Viaticum several 
times. It was indescribably touching 
to see the profound recollection and 
heavenly air of this little angel, forcing 
herself, notwithstanding the swelling of 
her body, to join her little hands, and 
conversing for so long a time heart to 
heart with Jesus. It never was neces- 
sary to suggest pious acts to Josephine ; 
she had but to follow the promptings 
of her heart. 

" I have so much to say to Jesus I 
do not need a book. It is not necessary 
to suggest thoughts to me. My heart 



OF NINE YEARS. 95 

speaks always ; Jesus is content, that is 
sufficient for me." 

The doctor, seeing her danger, ad- 
vised her receiving Extreme Unction. 
When she heard this her face lighted 
up with joy. The innocent little dove 
seemed anxious to take her flight to 
heaven. 

4 What graces Jesus deigns to grant 
me/' she exclaimed ; " this morning I 
received communion ; this evening I 
receive the holy oils ; and then when 
Jesus wishes I will go to heaven. Oh. 
how good Jesus is ! If I had died 
among the Arabs how different my lot 
would be !" 

On the 2 1st of April, about six 
o'clock in the afternoon, the chaplain, 
finding the little invalid so well dis- 
posed to receive the sacrament, sug- 
gested to her a few pious thoughts, 
and commenced at once the holy cere- 
mony. The community being present, 



96 A LITTLE SAINT 

Josephine wished first to beg pardon 
of all the Sisters who were weeping 
around her bed. The chaplain was so 
much affected he could hardly repeat 
the words of Extreme Unction. The 
little invalid was calm, happy, and radi- 
ant with joy, occupied only with the 
desire of receiving the sacrament well. 
She presented her little hands with the 
sweetest possible grace to the minister 
of God, as if to say, " Hasten to open 
heaven to me." 

After the ceremony our dear child re- 
mained some time in profound recollec- 
tion, thanking God for the new grace 
she had just received. Then she asked 
to speak to her companions. This I 
allowed very willingly. As soon as 
they saw her the poor children began 
to cry. " Do not cry, dear little 
friends ; do not cry," she said ; " I am 
going to heaven. I will pray a great 
deal for you, for the Arabs, and for all 



OF NINE YEARS. 97 

the little Africans ; but remember all 
of you to be very good and very obe- 
dient, and to love Jesus and Mary." 
Then she added, 

" When I am dead, do not cry for 
me, because in heaven I will be very 
happy. " 

Josephine had by her a relic and two 
other pious objects. She showed them 
to her companions, saying, " If Mamma 
is willing, I will leave you all these as 
souvenirs. " 

Then she embraced them all very 
affectionately. Seeing that they were 
still crying, the compassionate little in- 
valid said to them, " Go, dear chil- 
dren ; run and play a little." 

The poor little ones went away. I too 
left the room, my heart was so full. The 
chaplain remained with her. He was 
continually in attendance at the bedside 
of the invalid. As I always remained in 
the infirmary at night, I often heard her 



9 8 A LITTLE SAINT. 

say to the Sister who watched with her, 
Move softly, so as not to wake Mamma. 
Poor Mamma ! I am so afraid she will 
be disturbed." From time to time she 
would draw aside the curtains to look 
at me, and to send me a loving kiss. 

After Extreme Unction, Josephine 
continued to live, or rather to suffer for 
fifteen days longer. Her body was 
literally one great wound. She could 
not be touched without causing the 
poor little martyr the most intense 
suffering. The danger of death seemed 
so constantly imminent she received 
the Holy Viaticum every three or four 
days. Penetrated with joy and grati- 
tude, the dear child would clasp her 
hands and exclaim, " Ah, what happi- 
ness ! what happiness ! If Jesus sends 
me great suffering, He must come to 
me all the oftener in communion. Oh, 
how good Jesus is ! He knows how I 
long to receive Him. 



CHAPTER XIII. 

THE LITTLE SUFFERER RECEIVES ON 
HER DEATH-BED THE VEIL OF THE 
VISITATION, AND IS AFFIANCED TO 
JESUS CHRIST. 

JOSEPHINE felt her death rapidly ap- 
proaching, yet she could not say, All is 
consummated. The most ardent desire 
of her heart, next to that of seeing 
God, remained unrealized. However, 
she was sure of obtaining it before her 
death, through the intercession of the 
Blessed Virgin. The trust of a child of 
Mary in her holy intercession could 
never be in vain. Josephine knew she 
would not leave this world until her 
wish was gratified. 

This desire dated from the time of 



ioo A LITTLE SAINT 

her first communion. On the feast of 
our holy Mother de Chantal I noticed 
that Josephine seemed very serious all 
day. Fearing that something troubled 
her, I said, " What is the matter, my 
child ? why are you troubled when only 
this morning you received Jesus in holy 
communion ?" 

" No, Mamma," she replied very 
sweetly, " I am not troubled ; but 
there is something of which I am think- 
ing a great deal. I will tell thee later, 
I cannot now." This was because sev- 
eral of the religious were present. As 
soon as she found me alone she made 
known to me what occupied her 
thoughts. " This morning," she said, 
" after communion, Jesus said to my 
heart, * I wish thee to be my spouse/ 
And the holy Mother de Chantal said 
to me, ' I wish thee to be my daughter. ' 
These words are always in my thoughts. 
I no longer have any desire to laugh, 



OF NINE YEARS. 101 

or to see anybody. I am always think- 
ing of Jesus." 

Josephine preserved these supernat- 
ural words in her heart with jealous 
care. The change which took place in 
her was observed by everybody. There 
was no doubt that she then received the 
great grace of a vocation to the religious 
life. Before this time she had never 
evinced the least desire of this happy 
state. Though always very good, she 
was not wholly free from childish am- 
bitions. But from this memorable day 
Josephine knew but one ambition, one 
desire — that of taking the veil. One of 
the Sisters jestingly reproached her for 
having accepted a handsome present. 
14 I am very glad to have it," she at 
once replied, " in order to make the 
sacrifice of it to God on the day when 
I take the veil. " This holy desire was 
never extinguished in her heart ; on the 
contrary it continually increased. The 



102 A LITTLE SAINT 

veil was the object of her constant and 
fervent prayers. The happiness of a 
soul entirely consecrated to God de- 
lighted her and filled her with a holy 
desire. She talked of it unceasingly. 

Whenever she saw in the parlor ele- 
gantly-dressed ladies, she would ex- 
claim, on leaving the room, " Oh, how 
I dislike those ladies' dresses. Oh, 
poor and simple dress of my Jesus ! 
Oh, dear veil, how I love thee ! how I 
love thee !" Saying this she would 
tenderly kiss my habit and veil, and ex - 
claim, with tears in her eyes, " Mamma, 
give me the veil soon ; grant me that 
favor. Beg the bishop to let me have 
it. He will say yes to thee, but if I 
were to ask him he would not listen to 
me. M 

She never saw the bishop before her 
last illness without importuning him 
most earnestly, and using every art of 
persuasion to obtain from him the much- 



OF NINE YEARS. 103 

desired veil. One day when she was 
most pressing in her entreaties, the 
good prelate said to her, 

" Be patient a little longer ; you are 
too young/' 

"That is true," replied Josephine 
with much spirit, "but it is also true 
that I will die very soon. I have often 
told thee that I would soon die. I have 
prayed for thee so often at communion. 
Has not Jesus whispered to thy heart to 
give me the veil ? Mamma, the Sisters, 
everybody is willing to have me take 
the veil. Very well, I tell thee that 
thou oughtest to give it to me sooner 
than thou thinkest. Thou wilt see that 
Jesus will grant the grace ; Jesus is bet- 
ter to me than the bishop." 

And Jesus did grant her request. 
The predictions of the holy child were 
fulfilled in a most unexpected manner. 

In her last illness the desire for the 
veil never left her, and was only ren- 



104 A LITTLE SAINT 

dered more ardent by the knowledge of 
her approaching end. The intensity of 
her desire touched me very much ; but 
far from letting her see my feelings, I 
affected not to notice it, so that the 
poor child dared not importune any 
further. 

However, one day in April, unable to 
restrain herself any longer, Josephine 
said to the Infirmarian, in a tone that 
went to the heart, and which showed 
the intensity of her desire, " Is it pos- 
sible they will not give me the veil ? 
Is it because the Sisters are not willing 
that I should have it ? Must I die 
without it ?" 

I was at once informed of what the 
child had said. I had not the courage 
to refuse the pious child, on the very 
threshold of eternity. I immediately 
took measures to gratify her desires. 
The bishop most willingly granted the 
permission I asked ; besides, seeing the 



OF NINE YEARS, 105 

perfect dispositions of the little invalid, 
he permitted her to take the three sim- 
ple vows of the religious life. 

On the day appointed for her recep- 
tion, while the necessary preparations 
were being made, and while they were ar- 
ranging the garlands of artificial flowers 
on her bed, Josephine was occupied 
only with God ; she spoke not a word, 
and seemed overwhelmed with joy. 
Occasionally she glanced at what was 
going on around her, and then imme- 
diately resumed her recollection. 

" Do you see these flowers ?" I said 
to her. 

4 Yes ; but the flowers of heaven are 
more beautiful." This reply made me 
dumb. 

In a short time all was in readiness. 
We were obliged to hasten a little for 
fear of being too late. The short but 
interesting ceremony took place on the 
26th of April, in the afternoon. On 



106 A LITTLE SAINT 

the arrival of the chaplain the entire 
community assembled in the infirmary. 
At the foot of Josephine's bed were all 
her little companions dressed in white, 
with white veils and wreaths of white 
roses on their heads, and holding 
lighted candles in their hands. 

The young postulant pronounced the 
usual formula, and received with the 
veil the name of Sister Laurensine Fre- 
miot. Then she took the three vows" 
of poverty, chastity, and obedience, 
and was given the cross and the cruci- 
fix. The Landate was recited, and the 
ceremony was concluded. The little 
invalid evinced inexpressible piety and 
devotion through it all. Josephine was 
at last a religious of the Visitation. In 
the evening the bishop came to see the 
new little spouse of Jesus Christ. His 
Grace, with touching kindness, talked 
to her for a long time of heaven. Our 
little Sister simply answered " Yes." 



OF NINE YEARS. 107 

The difficulty of her breathing prevent- 
ed her saying more. But she pro- 
nounced this word with extreme sweet- 
ness, accompanied by tender, eloquent 
glances. The good prelate on leaving, 
gave her his blessing. Sister Lauren- 
sine wept, for this last parting was to 
her a most painful sacrifice. 

The next day, her breathing being a 
little less painful, the little Sister talked 
constantly of the grace which she had 
just received. She showed the cross 
which was given her, and exclaimed, 
with rapture, ' ' I have at last my cross. 
I kiss it all the time, even at night. 
Oh, how happy I am ! Yes, I am very 
happy to be the spouse of Jesus Christ. 
Ah ! even now I think I am dying. 
How my heart beats : it bounds, it 
thrills. It will beat much stronger in 
heaven. Our Lord told me that He 
sent me great suffering in order that 
you might give me the veil. I have 



108 A LITTLE SAINT. 

wanted the veil for a long time. I was 
always sad, and nothing in the world 
pleased me. Even my blue dress 
weighed upon me. ... I a spouse of 
Jesus Christ ! Ah, yes, yes. Even if 
our Lord cures me, I will always, always 
be His spouse. I will study. I will 
learn quickly, and I will do all in my 
power to do all that the Sisters do. If 
I die, all is at an end." While speak- 
ing, her eyes and face appeared in- 
describably angelic. 



CHAPTER XIV. 

THE LAST SMILE. 

The dear little sufferer ceased not 
thanking the Sisters and me with ex- 
pressions of the most sincere gratitude. 
On our part we profited of the short 
time she was left to us to charge her 
with our petitions to God, for the lov- 
ing little spouse of Jesus Christ was 
rapidly approaching heaven. 

Her sufferings tortured her in the 
most cruel manner. The violence of 
her pains drew from her cries that would 
rend the hardest heart. They were not 
complaints, but cries begging the di- 
vine assistance. In her moments of 
greatest agony she would fix her eyes 
on the little statue of the Immaculate 
Conception, which she always had near 



HO A LITTLE SAINT 

her. Then she would kiss the crucifix 
and the picture of the Blessed Virgin. 
She always kept these two dear objects 
on her bed ; she never wished to be a 
moment without them. 

She had great fear of seeing the 
demon before she died. She said to 
her confessor, ' ' I am so afraid of see- 
ing the demon. I tremble all over with 
fear." A few words from the chaplain 
reassured her, and caused her to feel 
even that strong courage which faith 
alone can inspire in such terrible mo- 
ments. 

" My dear little Sister/ ' I said to her 
during these paroxysms, " Jesus is 
near. Very soon you will be in hea- 
ven/ ' The innocent little martyr, in 
the midst of her cries, continued to re- 
peat for hours at a time these loving 
aspirations : " Oh, Jesus ! come, come 
quickly ; come, my dear Jesus ! Oh, 
Blessed Virgin, thou who earnest such a 



OF NINE YEARS. HI 

distance to bring me here, come, now 
lead me to heaven. Oh, my St. Joseph, 
where art thou ? come take me ; I can- 
not remain here longer. My soul, my 
heart can no longer rest far from Jesus. 
. . . Oh, my good angel, aid me to 
go soon to heaven ! Oh, all ye saints of 
Paradise, come and take me, hasten to 
conduct me to Jesus !'' 

All who heard her were astonished 
that her voice continued so strong, and 
that she could last so long in such tor- 
ture. Hers was such a strange illness, 
its precise nature never could be dis- 
covered. At times she seemed to be 
in the last extremity ; all signs of life 
disappeared. We would then apply to 
her the indulgences for the dead and 
recite the recommendation of the soul 
to God. For a moment we would 
think all w 7 as over, when suddenly she 
would cry out, " Heaven, heaven ; let 
me go to heaven. Good-by, Mamma ; 



H2 A LITTLE SAINT 

good-by, bishop. Good-by, father 
confessor. Good-by, all my Sisters. 
Good-by all !" 

On one of these occasions I said to 
her, " Oh, yes, you are near the eternal 
day ! But we are plunged in the night 
of this earth, and we know not when it 
will be given to us to enjoy the hap- 
piness so soon to be yours. When you 
are in heaven, dear child, pray the 
good God to grant it to us. " 

"Yes, yes," she replied, in a still 
stronger voice, " Jesus will give happi- 
ness to all." 

We had taught her that the confessor 
is the visible angel who guides souls to 
heaven. The innocent child held her 
confessor constantly by the hand in her 
last moments, and would not allow him 
to leave her for an instant, seeming to 
say, " I will not let you go until you 
have introduced me to heaven." She 
would ask him every few moments, 



OF NINE YEARS. 113 

" Oh, father, when will I go to hea- 
ven ?" 

Sometimes she seemed to fall into a 
lethargic sleep, and I would suggest to 
her some pious thoughts. Immediately 
the dying little child would begin to 
pray to God, the Blessed Virgin, and the 
saints. Her fervor was so great it was 
necessary to moderate it, and we 
feared to make pious suggestions lest 
the intense transports of her soul to 
heaven would sever the feeble links 
that still held her to earth. Seeing her 
terribly oppressed with suffering, the 
chaplain said to her from time to time, 
" Keep yourself firmly united to the 
will of God." "Yes, yes," she re- 
plied immediately, " I am always unit- 
ed to the holy will of God. Oh, Jesus, 
Jesus." . . . And then she would 
recommence the habitual aspirations 
of her loving heart. In a word, we were 
obliged to be silent, notwithstanding 



H4 A LITTLE SAINT 

the pleasure it was to her to hear of 
God. 

The poor little martyr from time to 
time would glance with astonishment 
to the right of her bed, seeming to see 
something extraordinary. Finally she 
said to her confessor, " I see Jesus, I 
see Mary, I see St. Joseph. Oh, how 
beautiful they are ! Soon they will 
come and take me." 

" Do you see them with the eyes of 
faith ?" asked the father. 

" No, I see them with these eyes ;" 
and she raised her hand to her eyes. 

The last night our little Sister seemed 
the living image of the souls in purga- 
tory. Her sufferings were incredible. 
" Why," she would exclaim from time 
to time, " why am I burned alive this 
night ? ' Why am I completely con- 
sumed ? Why are my entrails, why is 
my entire flesh devoured ? Oh, father, 
what is it burns so in my heart ?" 



OF NINE YEARS, 1 15 

1 You have therein the grace of God 
and His love/' 

"Oh," she replied, "what fire! 
what intense fire ! ' 

When w r e touched her we found the 
poor child was like ice. A cold sweat 
poured from her limbs. Oh, what a 
heart-rending spectacle it was ; and it 
lasted all that night and all the next 
morning. I could not leave her. Her 
sufferings rent my heart, but at the 
same time there was comfort in being 
near such an angel. 

' Will you remember/' I said to her, 
"to pray for us when you are in 
heaven ?" 

" Yes, yes, I will pray often for 
Mamma, for the bishop, for Abuya, for 
the other little Africans, for all !" 

A little while after she added, " My 
heart tells me that I shall die to-day 
after ' Obedience.'' 

This exercise took place with us at 



n6 a LITTLE SAINT 

half past twelve. And she died at that 
hour. 

The poor little Sister was conscious 
to the last. Every few moments fright- 
ful convulsions threatened to suffocate 
her. About ten o'clock in the morning 
she seemed a little relieved. She swal- 
lowed a little beef-tea, and said, "I 
want to sleep very much. 1 ' 

Seeing her quiet and out of immediate 
danger, at eleven o'clock the chaplain 
left her for a little while. " Yes, go," 
said the little dying saint, " but return 
very soon. In the mean time Mamma 
will remain here in your place." I sat 
close beside her to listen to her breath- 
ing. 

About twelve o'clock I noticed that 
she was awake and praying. I took 
that opportunity of telling her all that 
I wanted her to remember in heaven. 

At half past twelve our dear little 
angel opened her eyes, glanced to the 
right, and a lovely smile illumined her 



OF NINE YEARS. 117 

face. I sent at once for the chaplain, 
who came very promptly, his house 
being near ours ; but he was too late. 
The child had just expired. We could 
easily understand his disappointment 
at not witnessing the last smile of his 
dear little penitent. 

The dear little angel took her flight 
to heaven at the hour she predicted. 
At the age, we suppose, of nine years. 
Oh, the happiness of going to heaven 
with a smile on one's lips ! 

Yes, dear little angel, open thy inno- 
cent lips to the sweet smiles of the 
Blessed ! Bask in the unutterable de- 
lights of heaven ! Enjoy thy God, who 
loved thee so tenderly ; but remember, 
I beseech thee, those who still sigh in 
this rude land of exile ! 

After death the little saint regained 
her symmetrical figure. Her face w r ore 
an expression of heavenly peace, as if 
the last kiss of the Divine Spouse had 
left thereon the imprint of eternal 



Il8 A LITTLE SAINT 

beatitude. Our eyes were never satis- 
fied gazing on the lovely spectacle. 
Some of the Sisters asked if she were 
really dead. "I am in heaven" she 
seemed smilingly to say to all who 
looked upon her. " Oh, how beautiful 
she is, how very beautiful !" exclaimed 
her companions every moment. 

She was, according to our custom, 
laid in the choir. She was dressed in the 
religious habit, with a wreath of white 
roses on her head, and held in her 
hand besides her crucifix a brilliant 
white lily. Many other flowers beau- 
tifully arranged adorned the little 
coffin. It was with intense sorrow we 
tore ourselves away from our sainted 
little Sister when, the funeral ceremo- 
nies over, the hour for burial had ar- 
rived. Mine was the greatest sorrow. 
I could with difficulty bring myself to 
cover this pure face, so illumined with 
celestial beauty. Alas ! the painful 
duty had to be done. I placed upon 



OF NINE YEARS. 119 

her virginal brow a last kiss, and then 
rendered to earth all that was earthly 
of her. 

It was no slight solace to our sorrow 
to possess in this privileged spouse of 
our Lord a powerful patron before Him. 
Some of our Sisters have already ex- 
perienced her beneficent influence. 

This is the simple and faithful record 
of the life of her whom God confided 
to me. According to His merciful de- 
signs I endeavored to educate her for 
heaven. The dear child responded 
faithfully to the graces of her Creator. 
Her life was short, but replete with 
many virtues. Oh, if all young Chris- 
tians, imitating at least in part the 
fidelity of this little African, would cor- 
respond to the millionth part of God's 
restraining grace which He showers 
upon them to form their minds and 
hearts, how much more easy and fruit- 
ful would be their education ! And 



120 A LITTLE SAINT. 

with what hope and consolation would 
they contemplate the future ! 

I will add but a few words to this 
touching story, and to this last wish 
of the adopted mother of the little 
African. 

May God bless these good, motherly, 
devoted religious, who in all the coun- 
tries of the world are the visible Provi- 
dence of the orphan children of the 
abandoned, and of all who suffer. 

May He deign equally to bless you, 
my child, who reads the life of this lit- 
tle saint. May the example of such 
perfect virtue in one so young render 
you more faithful in the future, more 
fervent, more obedient, more patient, 
more worthy, in a word, of the God of 
your baptism and of your first com- 
munion. 

THE END. 




THE LIFE OF 

OUR LORD AND SAVIOUR JESUS CHRIST 

AND OF HIS BLESSED MOTHER. 

Translated and adapted from the original of Rev. L. C. Busing eh, 

By Rev. RICHARD BRENNAN, LL.D., 
Author of "A Popular Life of Pope Pius IX." 

This is the first fully illustrated -work on this subject ever published. 
It has nearly 600 Engravings in the body of the text, Chromo-Litho- 
graphs and Fine Plates : together with a superb Steel Engraving 
of "The Resnrreetion of Our Lord" (Size 20^x27 inches), which is 

PRESENTED FREE 

to every subscriber. The book is issued in 38 parts at 

25 CENTS EACH, 
and sold only by subscription. 

BENZIGER BROTHERS, New York, Cincinnati, and St. Louis. 



Pictorial Lives of the Saints. 

With Reflections, for Every Day in the Year, 

and a Preface by 

REV. EDWARD McGLYNN, D.D., 

Pastor of St. Stephen s Church, Neiv York. 

Illustrated with nearly 400 Engravings, depicting striking 
passages in the live^of these Servants of God. i vol., 8vo. 

Elegantly bound in extra cloth, full gilt side $3 50 

" and edges, 4 00 
" " in French morocco, " u 5 50 

Approved by 

HIS EMINENCE, THE CARDINAL, ARCHBISHOP OF 
NEW YORK, 

Tlie Most Reverend Archbishops of 

Milwaukee, — Philadelphia, — Portland, Oregon. 

And the Right Reverend Bishops of 

Arizona,— Buffalo, — Columbus,— Chicago,— Cleveland, 
— Erie, — Fort Wayne, — Galveston, — Germanicopolis, 
— Grass Valley, — Green Bay,— Leavenworth, — Louis* 
vij.le, — Nesqualy, — Ogdensburgh, — Peoria, — Provi- 
dence, — Savannah, — Scranton, — St. Cloud, — St. Paul, 
— Wheeling. 

SOLD ONLY BY SUBSCRIPTION. 



A Popular Life ot 

POPE PIUS THE NINTH. 

Drawn from the most reliable authorities by 

REV. RICHARD BRENNAN, A.M. 

Approved by His Eminence 

CARDINAL McCLOSKEY and ELEVEN BISHOPS. 

1 vol., small 8vo. 

Elegantly bound in cloth, gilt extra. %\ 50 

" extra gilt e|iges 200 



BEKZJGEE BROTHERS, New Yorfc, Cincinnati, and St. Lonis 



THE LIFE ANT> ACTS 

OF 

POPE LEO THE THIRTEENTH. 




Preceded by a Sietcl of tie Last Days of Pins toe NiitlL 



AND THE 



ORIGIN AND LAWS OF THE CONCLAVE. 

Compiled and translated from authentic sources. Edited 
by Rev. Joseph E. Keller, S.J., President of St. Louis 
University, St. Louis. 

Embellished with many beautiful Illustrations, Portraits, 
Views, etc., etc. 

Published with the Approbation of His Eminence the 
Cardinal, Archbishop of New York. 
Crown 8vo, 352 pages, extra cloth, bevelled boards, full 

gilt sides, $2. 

Reliable Agents Wanted in all Parts of the Country. 

BENZ1GER BROTHERS, New York, Cincinnati, and St. Louis. 



The Imitation of Christ. 

By Thomas a Kempis. In four books. Trans- 
lated from the original Latin by the Right Rev. 
Richard Challoner, D.D. 

i8mo, 481 pages. Printed with a Red Border. 

2829 Extra cloth, beveled, red edges $1 25 

2847 Turkey mor., ant. extra, gilt edges 4 00 

2851 " " circuit, gilt edges 500 

2855 Calf, flexible, gilt edges 4 50 

The Imitation of Christ. 

32mo edition, 481 pages. 

2726 Cloth $0 50 

2729 Extra cloth, beveled, red edges 65 

2736 French mor., gilt centre and edges 1 00 

2747 Turkey mor., ant. extra, gilt edges 2 50 

2 753 Calf, ant. , red edges 2 75 

2755 " flexible, gilt edges 2 75 

Manual of the Sodality 

of the Blessed Virgin Mary. 

Containing the Rules, Privileges, Indulgences, 
and exercises of Piety suitable for all Christians. 
32mo, 613 pages. 

1926 Cloth $0 50 

1929 " extra, beveled, red edges 75 

1937 French mor., full gilt sides, back, and edges 1 25 

1947 Turkey mor., extra ant., gilt centre and edges. . 2 50 

1948 " " super, full gilt sides, back, and edg. 2 50 
1956 Calf, flexible, red edges 2 75 

BENZIGER BROTHERS, New York, Cincinnati, and St, Louis. 




The Story of Jesus, 

SIMPLY TOLD FOR THE YOUNG. 

By ROSA MULHOLLAND. 

With a preface by Rev. Richard Brennan, LL.D. 

WITH 49 FULL-PAGE ILLUSTRATIONS AND 17 WOOD-CUTS 

IN THE TEXT. 

Square i6mo, 172 pages, on fine, super-calendered, 
tinted paper, full gilt back, exquisite side-stamp in gold, 
extra cloth, $1. 

BENZIGER BROTHERS, New York, Cincinnati, and St. Louis, 



Sent free by mail, on receipt of price 



THE IMITATION 

OF THE 

Sacred Heart of Jesus. 

By Rev. F. ARNOUDT, SJ. 

TRANSLATED FROM THE LATIN OF REV. J. M. FASTRE. 

12mo, 798 pages, extra cloth, $2.50. m 

This delightful book contains ample matter for daily medita- 
tion throughout the year. The reader can start from the be- 
ginning and continue to the end of the work, or he may break 
this order and confine himself to such portions as are specially 
adapted to his feelings at the time. Things are not proposed 
here in general and in common, as is usually done in books of 
meditation, but everything is laid down specially and in parti- 
cular, both in regard to the evil to be avoided, and the good to 
De practiced. The book greatly resembles the "Imitation of 
Christ," to which it is a fitting companion, but it is more regu- 
/ar in plan, more complete, actual, definite. The style of 
the work is everywhere suited to the subject, and the diction is 
pure. 

o 

The Hidden Treasure ; 

OR, THE VALUE AND EXCELLENCE OF 

TUHZIE HOLY HVH^-SS. 

WITH A 

Practical and Devout Method of Hearing it with Profit. 

By The Blessed Leonard of Port-Maurice. 
18mo, 188 pages, cloth, 50 cents. 

BENZIGER BROTHERS, New York, Cincinnati, and St. Louis. 



LENT FREE BY MAIL, ON RECEIPT OF PRICE. 



PEARLS FROM THE CASKET 

OF THE 

Sacred Heart of Jesus. 

A COLLECTION OF THE 
OF THE 

Blessed Margaret Mary Alacoque, 

Religious of the Order of the Visitation. 



EDITED BY 



ELEANOR C. DONNELLY. 



"/ constitute thee heir of My Heart, and of all Its 
treasures for time and eternity, permitting thee to use 
them according to thy desire. I promise thee that thou 
shalt never want assistance until I shall fail in pcnver. 
Thou shalt be forever lis beloved disciple, the delight of 
Its predilection, and the holocaust of Its love." 1 ' 1 — Words 
of Our Lord to Blessed Margaret Mary. 



32EQO, 192 pages. Cloth, red edges, gilt side, 60 cents. 
BENZIGER BROTHERS, New York, Cincinnati, and St. Loufs. 



Souvenir of the Novitiate. 

Especially intended for the use of Religious Communities 
devoted to the Education of Youth. 

TRANSLATED FROM THE FRENCH BY 

Rev. EDWARD I. TAYLOR. 

Published with the approbation of the Trans- 
lator's Ordinary and of His Eminence the Car- 
dinal, Archbishop of New York. 

32mo, 285 pages, cloth, ink and gold side, red 
edges, $1. 



Paradise on Earth 

OPENED TO ALL; 

OR, 

A RELIGIOUS VOCATION 
THE SUREST WAY IN LIFE. 

Translated from the Italian of Rev. Antonio 
Nat ale, S.J. 

32mo, 146 pages, cloth, gold and inked side, 
red edges, 60 cents. 

BENZ1GER BROTHERS, New York, Cincinnati, and St. Louis. 




GREETINGS 



CHRIST-CHILD. 

A Collection of Christmas Poems for the Young. 

EMBELLISHED WITH 89 ILLUSTRATIONS, 
TAILPIECES, ETC., ETC. 



Square i6mo, on fine, super- calendered, tinted 
paper, full gilt back and gilt edges, elegant side 
stamp in black and gold, extra cloth, $i. 

BENZIGER BROTHERS, New York, Cincinnati, and St. Louis. 



THE CATHOLIC PREMIUM-BOOK LIBRARY. 

FIRST SERIES. 

With the approbation of His Eminence the Cardinal. 
8vo. With Frontispiece. Beautifully bound in imita- 
tion cloth, with sides and back in black and gold. 
Price, per volume, 50 cents. 

ANTHONY. 

BERTHA ; or, the Consequences of a Fault. 
BLANCHE DE MARSILLY. 

CAPTAIN ROUGEMONT ; or, The Miraculous Con- 
version. 
CASSILDA ; or, The Moorish Princess of Toledo. 
CONVERSATIONS ON HOME EDUCATION. 
EPISODES OF TH3 COMMUNE. 
MARCELLE. 

THE ADVENTURES OF A CASKET. 
THE ADVENTURES OF A FRENCH CAPTAIN. 
THE BETTER PART ; or, Scenes from Real Life. 
THE FISHERMAN'S DAUGHTER. 
THE GREAT-GRANDMOTHER'S SECRET. 
THE PRIEST OF AUVRIGNY. 
THE VILLAGE STEEPLE. 



CATHOLIC CRUSOE. Adventures of Owen Evans, 
Navy Surgeon's Mate, set ashore on a desolate island 
in the Caribbean Sea, A.D. 1739. By Rev. W. H. 
Anderdon, D.D. Author's American Edition. With 
six fine plates. i2mo, 368 pages, cloth, $1. 

BENZIGER BROTHERS, New York, Cincinnati, and St. Louis, 



THE CATHOLIC PREMIUM-BOOK LIBRARY. 

SECOND SERIES. 

i2mo. With Frontispiece. Tastefully bound in imitation 
cloth, full gilt sides and back. Price per vol., 35 cents. 

LIFE OF OUR BLESSED LORD— His Life,Deafc^ 

and Resurrection. 
LIFE OF THE EVER-BLESSED VIRGIN, from 

Her Conception to Her Assumption. 
LIFE OF ST. PATRICK, Apostle of Ireland. 
THE HOLY ISLE; or, Lives of Most Notable Irish 

Saints. 
THE DIARY OF A CONFESSOR, and other Tales. 
A MAN AT TWELVE. 
LAMORICIERE. 



THIRD SERIES. 

i8mo. With Frontispiece. Attractively bound in imita- 
tion cloth, with full gilt sides and back. Price per vol., 
15 cents. 

ADOLPHUS ; or, The Good Son. 

A BROKEN CHAIN: An Episode of the French Revo- 
lution. 

NICHOLAS ; or, The Reward of a Good Action. 

NINA AND PIPPO ; or, The Lost Children of Mount 
Saint Bernard. 

THE BAKER'S BOY ; or, the Results of Industry. 

THE LAST DAYS OF THE PAPAL ARMY. 

ZUMA, a Peruvian Tale. 

THE MASSACRE OF THE HOSTAGES by the 
Paris Commune. 

BRUNO. 

BENZIGER BROTHERS, New York, Cincinnati, and St. Louis. 



THE SUNDAY-SCHOOL TEACHER'S MANUAL. 
By Rev. A.A. Lambing. "An admirable work, full of sound 
doctrine, judicious suggestions, and happy illustrations of 
the qualifications, responsibilities, etc., of Catechists." 
i6mo, 216 pages, cloth, 90 cents. 

POPULAR HYMNS FOR YOUTH. With Devotions for 
Mass and Vespers. The most complete book of its kind, 
containing 189 of the most popular hymns and references 
to the various music-books in which the airs are to be 
found. 32mo, 256 pages, paper, 15 cents ; stiff cover, 20 
cents. 

THE DAY OF FIRST COMMUNION. Devout 

Prayers and Acts of Virtue for the use of First Com- 
munion Classes. 321110, paper, 5 cents. 



The Catholic Birthday Book. 



CONTAINING A 



Calendar for the Year, together with the 
Feast of Each Day, and an appro- 
priate Motto and " Practice." 

Square 32mo, 272 Pages, Cloth, $1. 

Amongst a great number of Protestant publications of 
this kind, this little work is the first gotten up especially 
for Catholics. Instead of the literary quotations in the 
former, it contains a more useful and profitable selection 
of " Mottoes" and " Practices," chosen from the works of 
the Holy Fathers and other eminent spiritual writers. 
Otherwise the arrangement is the same as in other birth- 
day books. There is the Calendar indicating also the 
Feast, with a blank space opposite to every day, where 
friends and acquaintances may be requested to inscribe 
their autographs :nder the date of their respective birth- 
days. 

BENZIGER BROTHERS, New York, Cincinnati, and St. Louis, 



VDIHUMV JO SMYlLS (MIIKil 



ss^yoNoo jo A'avaan 













-JBB^BSSBal 



386 BBBB 

i 

- -1 ist .As,..- a i irrf • 

%m mm mm 



n 






HHHB 

111 ^^^^^^^^^HHi 

Hill -t-.i tw.cv • ^jmm 



I» 






mnuBp 

HHBsi 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 



003 214 678 8 fc 






